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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 

MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


*f* 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/frankschleysamerOOschlrich 


frank  schley's 

American  Partridge 

PHEASANT  SHOOTING 

WBITTXK  BY  HIMSSI.F, 


DESCRIBING    THE 

HAUNTS,  HABITS,  AND  METHODS  OF  HUNTING  AUD  SHOOTING  THE  AMERI* 
CAN  PARTRIDGE;    QUAIL.      RUFFED  GROUSE;    PHEASANT. 

^WITH 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  HANDLING  THE  GUN,  HUNTING  THE  DOG,  AND  THE  ART 
OF  SHOOTING  ON  THE  WING. 


CONTAINING 

A  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARTRIDGES  AND  GROUSE  INHABITING  NORTH 
AMERICA. 


IIL.lL.XJSTR-A.TEr>. 


FREDERICK,  MD. : 
BAUGHMAN    BROTHEES. 

1877. 


■ntered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1877,  by  Frank  Schley, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


Contents. 

PAGB. 

PRErACE, 

7 

The  Partridges, 

8 

Ortyx  Virginianiis, 

,      11 

Plumed  Partridge ;  Mountain  Quail,    . 

13 

California  Partridge ;  Valley  Quail, 

17 

Gambel's  Partridge ;  Arizona  Quail,     . 

21 

Scaled  or  Blue  Partridge,  . 

.      28 

Massena  Partridge, 

33 

How  to  Aim,  and  Shoot, 

41 

The  Gun,  how  to  Charge  it,  Size  of  Shot, 

40 

Eange  of  the  Gun, 

.      46 

The  Killing  Kanges  of  the  Gun, 

48 

Straight  Forward  Shots, 

.      50 

Cross  Shots, 

52 

Descending  Shots, 

54 

Over  Head  Shots,   . 

56 

Partridge;  Quail;  Bob-White,      . 

.      58 

HaUits,      .  ■ 

59 

r;i  r  ng  and  testing,      . 

.      62 

F  :    ■  and  ."^o<  ond  Brood, 

66 

I    •  -^rniii,-, 

.      68 

I         .>i  i:..      .ti'U-idges, 

69 

ivi3604M 


4  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Foes  of  the  Partridges,                  .                .  .71 

Flight  of  the  Partridges,       ...  74 

Migration,  Wandering  Birds,         .                .  .77 
Haunts  and  Habits  of  Partridges,  and  Where  Found,      80 

Withholding  Scent,                  ...  82 

Late  in  the  Season,         .                .                .  .89 

Hunting,  .                 .                 .      ■          .                 .  91 

Hunting  Partridges,       .                 .                 .  .92 

Firing  into  Coveys,                 .                 .                 .  97 

Wounded  Game,              .                .                .  .101 
Scattering  a  Covey,                .                .                .99 

How  to  Bag  Wounded  Partridges,                .  .     101 

Towering  of  a  Partridge,       .                 .                 .  103 

The  Sportsman  Who  Never  Fails  to  Hit,    .  .     105 

The  Excitable  Sportsman,      .                .                .  108 

The  Eeckless  Sportsman,               .                .  .111 

The  Bad  Shot,  or  Unskilled  Sportsman,               .  116 

Miscellaneous  Hints,  Dress,  Boots,                .  ,     121 
Knife,  Drinking  Cup,             .                .                .122 

Powder,  Shot,  Accouterments,  Caps,  Wadding,  .     123 
The  Grouse,             .                .                .                .125 

Spruce  Partridge,  Canada  Grouse,                .  .     129 

Columbia  Sharp-Tailed  Grouse,            .                .  134 

Prairie  Hen,  Prairie  Chicken,  Pinnated  Grouse,  .     140 

Franklin's  Grouse,                 .                 .                 .  148 

Dusky  Grouse,                 .                 .                 .  .     150 

Oregon  Dusky  Grouse,          .                 .                 .  153 

Eichardson's  Dusky  Grouse,          .                 .  .     156 

Sage  Cock ;  Cock  of  the  Plains,          .                .  158 


CONTENTS.  f 

PAGE. 

Sharp-Tailed  Grouse,      .                .                .  .163 

The  Texas  Prairie  Hen,       .                .  .165 

The  Mountain  Partridge,               .                .  .165 

The  Oregon  Grouse,              .                .  .              167 

Willow  Grouse ;  White  Ptarmigan,              ,  .     170 

Kock  Ptarmigan,  .                .                .  .              i7g 

White-Tailed  Ptarmigan,               .  .     178 

Buffed  Grouse,  Partridge,  Pheasant,  .  .              179 

Description,     .                .                .                .  .     180 

Habits,    .                .                .                .  .              180 

Beating  or  Drumming  of  the  Pheasant,      .  .     184 

Flight  of  the  Pheasant,         ...  186 

Migration,        .                .                .                .  .     188 

Foes  of  the  Pheasant,           .                .  .              189 

Food  of  the  Pheasant,  .                ...  .     191- 

Autumn  Pheasant  Shooting,                 .  .            193 

Shooting  in  Woods,  and  Thickets,               .  ^        .     198: 

Sporting  Dogs,         ....  201 

What  Constitutes  a  Good  Dog,     .  .     205 

Choosing  a  Dog,      .                .                •  .211 

Dogs  Adapted  to  Sporting  in  America,  •     217 


Tllustf^ations. 


To-Ho,       -  -  -  _        Frontispiece. 

Engraver,  Harry  W.  Crutchfleld. 

To  Face  Pag« 
Plumed  Partridge  ;  Mountain  Quail,  -  13 

Engraver,  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 

California  Partridge  ;  Yalley  Quail,       -  17 

Engraver,  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 

Scaled,  or  Blue  Partridge,  -        -        -        .  28 

Engraver,  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 

Massena  Partridge,       -        -        -        .        .  33 

Engraver,  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 

Partridge,  Quail,  Bob- White,       ...  59 

Engraver,  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 

American  Partridges,  Quails,       -        -        -         ^69 

Engraver,  Joseph  T.  Harley. 

Ruffed  Grouse,       ------         igo 

Engraver.  H.  W.  Crutchfleld. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  the  American  Partridge  and  Pheasant  Shooting,  I 
have  endeavored  to  lay  before  the  public,  in  as  precise  and  brief  a  form 
M  possible,  full  and  trustworthy  explanations  of  the  various  practical 
methods  of  hunting,  and  shooting,  with  dog  and  gun,  the  American 
PattridgH  and  Pheasant,  which  twenty-five  years  of  almost  constant 
pursuit  in  the  American  fields,  and  woodlands,  in  the  Eastern  ijor- 
tion  of  our  country,  have  enabled  me  to  attain ;  adding  only  the 
assurance,  that  I  have  been  prompted  to  this  work,  from  a  pure  love 
and  fondness  for  the  dog  and  gun,  and  those  ennobling  and  manly 
gports  of  which  I  have  been  for  so  many  years  an  ardent  follower. 
And  if  these  crude  lines  which  I  have  penned  prove  of  any  service  to 
my  brother  Sportsmen,  my  object  will  be  fully  accomplished,  and  my 
labor  of  love  will  not  have  been  in  vain. 

FRANK   SCHLE7. 

Fredruick  City,  Md.,  \S11. 


TO   THE 

SPOETSMEN     OF    AMEEICA, 

IN  RECOGNITION  OF  THEIR  HIGH  QUALITIES, 

AS  TEUE  SPOETSMEN.  AND  CEACK  SHOTS 

THIS    WORK   ON    PARTRIDGE   AND   PHEASANT   SHOOTING 

IS  MOST  EESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

BY   THE 

AUTHOE. 


American  Partridge 


AND- 


PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  PAETEIDGES. 

^HE  Partridges  arc  erected  into  the  family  Perdicida' 
with  several  suh-families.    They  abound  more  or  less 

^'  all  over  the  surface  of  the  Globe.     One  grouj)  of  the 

^  Partridges  belong  to  America,  all  the  rest  to  the  Old 
World.  The  American  Partridges  are  erected  by  the  auth- 
ors into  the  sub-family  Ortygincti  or  Odontophorinm.  They 
may  be  distinguished  among  the  American  gallinm  by  the 
following  characteristics :  Head  feathered,  nostrils  protected 
by  a  scale,  tarsi  and  toes  not  feathered,  bill  stout,  a  toothing 
or  bidentation  on  the  sides  of  the  edge  in  the  lower  mandi- 
ble, concealed  in  the  closed  mouth  scarcely  noticeable.  In 
this  famil}'  the  following  species  and  varieties  abound  in 
the  United  States ;  the  name  of  each  species  and  varieties 
and  their  places  of  residence,  according  to  Baird,  Brewer 
and  Eidgway,  are  as  follows : 

NoA.  Quail;  Partridge;  Bob-White. — This  species  inhabits 
Eastern  United  States,  to  the  high  central  plains — Devil's 
Eiver,  Texas. 

No.  2.  Ortyx  Virgineanus;  Var.;  Texanus.—InhsihiU  South- 
ern Texas  and  Yalley  of  the  Eio  Grande,  Eepublican  Eiver, 
Kansas.  Washita  Eiver,  Indian  Territory. 


10      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

No.  3.  Plumed  Partridge;  Mountain  Quail.  —  Inhabits 
mountain-ranges  of  California  and  Oregon  towards  the  coast, 
ISTevada,  Eastern  Slope  and  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 
— JRidgway. 

No.  A.  California  Partridge ;  Valley  Quail. — Inhabits  Yal- 
ley  portions  and  foot-hills  of  the  Pacific  province  of  the 
United  States,  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

No.  5.  Gamble's  Partridge;  Arizona  §w<xi7.-^Inhabits  Col- 
orado Yalley  of  the  United  States,  north  to  Southern  Utah, 
and  East  to  Western  Texas. 

No.  6.  Scaled,  or  Blue  Partridge. — Inhabits  Table-lands  of 
Mexico  and  Yalley  of  the  Eio  Grande  of  Texas.  Most  abun- 
dant on  the  high  broken  table-lands  and  mesquite  plains. 

No.  7.  Massena  Partridge. — Inhabits  Chiefly  on  the  Up- 
per Eio  Grrande  from  the  high  plains  of  the  Pecos,  Fort 
Whipple,  Arizona,  Northern  Mexico,  southward,  on  the 
west  coast,  to  Mazatlan. 

Of  these  seven  species  and  varieties  of  beautiful  game 
birds,  six  of  which,  the  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  sixth, 
and  seventh,  nowhere  exists  to  the  eastward  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Eiver,  and  have  never  fallen  before  my  gun.  These 
six  I  shall  only  notice  by  giving  their  character  and  his- 
tory, which  I  will  produce  from  the  best  authors  in  North 
American  Ornithology.  The  first  species.  Quail;  Partridge; 
Bob-White,  I  oifer  to  the  sportsmen  as  the  object  of  my 
pursuit,  and  the  special  aim  of  this  treatise.  This  species 
being  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  whole  of  the  Eas- 
tern Province  of  North  America,  and  is  the  well-known 
game  bird  of  this  country.  In  systematizing  this  work  I 
shall  begin  with  the  Ornithological  description  of  the  sec- 
ond variety,  and  continue  on  with  the  third,  fourth,  fifth, 
sixth,  and  seventh.  I  shall  then  close  this  dej)artment  of 
my  work  with  giving  a  full  and  precise  account  of  the 
character,  history,  haunts,  habits,  flight,  food,  &c.,  and  the 
most  successful  methods  I  have  used  in  hunting  and  shoot- 
ing the  .first  species. 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  H 


OETYX  YIEGINIANUS,  var.  texanus.— Lawrence. 

Sp.  Char. — General  appearance  that  of  0.  Virginianus. 
Chin,  throat,  forehead,  and  stripe  over  the  eye,  white, 
Stripe  behind  the  eye  continuous  with  a  collar  across  the 
lower  part  of  the  throat,  black.  Under  parts  white,  with 
zigzag  transverse  bars  of  black.  Above  pale  brownish-red 
strongly  tinged  with  ash,  the  feathers  all  faintly  though 
distinctly  mottled  with  black ;  the  lower  back,  scapulars, 
and  tertials  much  bloched  with  black,  the  latter  edged  on 
both  sides,  and,  to  some  extent,  transversely  barred  with 
brownish-white.  Secondaries  with  transverse  bars  of  the 
same  on  the  outer  web.  Wing  coverts  coarsely  and  con- 
spicuously barred  with  blackish.  Lower  part  of  neck, 
except  before,  streaked  with  black  and  white. 

Female  with  the  white  of  the  head  changed  to  brownish- 
yellow;  the  black  of  the  head  wanting.  Length,  9.00; 
wing,  4.35;  tail,  2.85. 

Hab. — Southern  Texas  and  Yalley  of  the  Eio  Grande ; 
Eepublican  Eiver,  Kansas;  Washita  Eiver,  Indian  Terri- 
tory. 

Habits. — This  form,  which  appears  to  be  confined  to  the 
southern  portion  of  Texas  and  to  the  Yalley  of  the  Eio 
Grande  Eiver,  was  first  described  by  Mr.  Lawrence  in  1853. 
It  has  been  taken  in  the  neighborhood  of  San  Antonio  and 
on  the  Nueces  Eiver,  by  Captain  Pope ;  on  Devil's  Eiver 
by  Major  AYilliam  H.  Emory;  at  Fort  Clark,  on  the  Pecos 
Eiver,  near  Laredo,  Texas,  at  Matamoras,  and  near  'New 
Leon,  Mexico,  and  in  other  localities,  by  Lieutenant  Couch. 
According  to  Mr.  Clark,  they  were  very  abundant  in  the 
Yalley  of  the  Pecos,  as  well  as  in  all  Southwestern  Texas. 
They  were  much  like  the  common  Yirginia  Quail  in  habits 
as  well  as  in  appearance,  and  to  his  ear  the  note  of  this 
bird  was  absolutely  identical  with  that  of  the  common 
Quail.  He  has  often  been  a  spectator  of  fights  among  the 
males  of  this  variety.  To  this  account  Dr.  Kennerly  adds 
that  he  observed  them  everywhere  in  considerable  num- 


12      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

bers  from  the  coast  to  the  headwaters  of  Devil's  River,  and 
also  along  the  Pecos  Eiver;  but  farther  west  than  this  none 
were  seen.  In  the  open  prairie  lands  great  numbers  were 
always  found  early  in  the  morning  in  the  road.  The  close 
resemblance  of  its  habits  to  those  of  the  common  PartridiJce 
was  also  noticed. 

This  Quail  was  first  observed  by  Dr.  Heermann  in  abun- 
dance on  the  Pecos  River,  although  seen  some  days  previ- 
ous to  reaching  that  point.  Their  numbers  increased  as 
they  neared  civilization,  and  near  San  Antonio  they  be- 
came very  plentiful.  The  call  of  the  male  bird  is  said  to 
consist  of  two  notes  repeated  at  intervals,  which  are  less 
loud,  clear,  and  ringing  than  those  of  the  common  Ortyx 
Virgin ianus.  They  feed  on  the  open  prairies  on  grass  seeds, 
grains,  berries,  and  insects,  and,  if  alarmed,  they  take  refuge 
among  the  scattered  mesquite-trees  and  clumps  of  bushes. 
When  hunted,  they  lie  to  the  dog  in  the  manner  of  the 
common  species,  and,  if  flushed,  fly  in  a  direct  line,  with  a 
loud  w^hirring  noise,  caused  by  the  shortness  and  rapid  mo- 
tion of  the  wings.  An  egg  of  this  bird,  found  by  Dr.  Heer- 
mann dropped  upon  the  road,  was  in  form  and  color  like 
that  of  the  common  Quail,  but  smaller. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  in  Texas  this  bird  is  known  as  the 
"  Common  Partridge ''  of  the  country.  He  found  it  abun- 
dant everyAvhere  in  localities  suitable  to  its  habits,  ^ear 
Matamoras  it  was  very  common,  and  was  the  only  sj^ecies 
of  Quail  he  noticed  there.  At  Eagle  Pass  and  Piedras  'Ne- 
gras,  where  the  soil  is  sandy,  the  grass  scanty,  and  cacti 
abundant,  he  saw  only  one  bevy,  but  plenty  of  the  Calli- 
pepla  Squamata.  Kear  San  Antonio  only  this  Quail  is  found, 
nor  did  he  observe  any  other  species  in  travelling  towards 
the  northeast.  Amongst  the  Bandara  Hills,  where  he  met 
with  the  Massena  Partridge,  he  also  found  the  Texan  Quail 
in  the  valley  and  near  the  maize-fields.  In  travelling  from 
Brownsville  to  San  Antonio  the  Texan  Quail  was  every- 
where abundant  except  in  the  sand  deserts.  This  species 
was  found  to  be  rather  irregular  as  to  its  breeding  season, 
as  he  found  young  birds  near  Matamoras  early  in  July,  and 


PLUMED  partridge;    mountain  quail,  of  CALIFORNIA* 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  13 

in  September  again  met  Avith  quite  young  birds  near  the 
Nueces  River,  and  Dr.  Heermann  informed  him  that  he 
had  likewise  procured  eggs  near  San  Antonio  late  in  Sep- 
tember. He  obtained  a  set  of  their  eggs  taken  near  San 
Antonio,  which  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Ortyx  Yir- 
(jhiianus,  but  are  slightly  smaller.— 5«i>^,  Brewer  and  Bidg- 
icay. 


PLUMED  PARTRIDGE;  MOUNTAIN  QUAIL. 

Oreortyx  pictus  — Baird. 

Sp.  Char. — Head  with  a  crest  of  two  straight  feathers, 
much  longer  than  the  bill  and  head.     Anterior  half  of  the 
body  grayish-plumbeous ;  the  upper  parts  generally  oliva- 
ceous-brown with  a  slight  shade  of  rufous,  this  extending 
narrowly  along  the  nape  to  the  crest.     Head  beneath  the 
eyes  and  throat  orange-chestnut,  bordered  along  the  orbits 
and  a  short  distance  behind  by  black,  bounded  anteriorly 
and  superiorly  by  white,  of  which  color  is  a  short  line  be- 
hind the  eye.     Posterior  half  of  the  body  beneath  white ; 
a  large  central  patch  anteriorly,  (bifurcating  behind),  with 
the  flanks  and  tibial  feathers,  orange  chestnut-brown;  the 
sides  of  body  showing  black  and  white  bands,  the  former 
color   tinged   with   chestnut.      Under  tail-coverts   black, 
streaked  with  orange-chestnut.     Uj)per  tertials  margined 
internalh'  with  whitish.     Female  differing  only  in  slightly 
shorter  crest.     Length,  10.50;  wing,  5.00;  tail,  3.25.— Jm?;. 
Body,  generally,  pale  brown,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts 
minutely  barred  with  darker,  and  with  medial  shaft-streaks 
of  blackish;    lower  plumage  plain  brown.      Breast  clear 
ashy,  presenting  a  well-defined  area.     Head  pale  brown, 
similar  to,  but  lighter  than,  the  body,  with  a  conspicuous 
vertical  and  lateral  (auricular)  broad  stripe  of  dark  umber- 
brown.     Feathers  of  the  flanks  blackish,  broadly  bordered 
with  dingy  whitish.     A  short  truncated  tuft  of  hair-like 


14      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTEIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

feathers  on  the  crown.  (Described  from  fig^iires  in  Gray- 
son's plate.) 

Hab. — Mountain  ranges  of  Califoi-nia  and  Oregon  to- 
wards the  coast.  Nevada  (eastern  slope  and  foot-hills  of 
the  Sien-a  Nevada  ^  (Eidgway), 

There  are  two  quite  different  races  of  this  species,  but 
which,  however,  pass  gradually  into  each  other,  and  must 
be  considered  as  merely  the  extremes  of  one  species.  They 
may  be  defined  as  follows : 

1.  Var.  Plctus. — Pure  ash  confined  to  the  pectoral  region ; 
the  russet-brown  or  rusty-olivaceous  of  the  upper  parts 
covering  whole  neck  and  crown ;  forehead  entirely  ashy. 
Wing,  5.25;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  (1.27;  middle 
toe,  1.30.)  Hah. — Washington  Territory,  Oregon,  and  up- 
per coast  region  of  California. 

2.  Var.  Plumiferus. — Pure  ash  covering  whole  pectoral 
region,  and  crown,  nape,  and  upper  part  of  back ;  the  gray- 
ish-olivaceous above  confined  to  the  posterior  parts.  Fore- 
head distinctly  whitish.  Wing,  5.25;  tarsus  longer  than 
middle  toe  (1.27;  middle  toe,  1.25.)  Hah, — Sierra  Nevada, 
and  Southern  California  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Habits. — The  Mountain  Quail  of  California  is  said  by 
Dr.  Newberry  to  be  similar  in  some  respects  to  the  common 
Partridge  of  Europe.  It  is  nowhere  very  common,  but 
occurs  sparingly  throughout  the  entire  length  of  California 
and  Oregon  to  at  least  the  Columbia,  and  probably  beyond 
it,  having  much  the  same  range  with  the  Calif ornicus^  though 
everywhere  a  rarer  bird,  and  always  confined  to  the  hills 
and  mountains.  Its  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  other 
species  of  this  family,  but  it  is  less  gregarious,  and  is  more 
shy.  It  is  usually  found  in  the  chaparral,  where  it  is  put 
up  with  difticulty,  as  it  seeks  safety  by  running  on  the 
ground  rather  than  by  flight.  On  the  first  of  August,  at 
the  base  of  Lassen's  Butte,  Dr.  Newberry  found  a  solitary 
hen  with  a  brood  of  very  young  chicks.  The  brood  scat- 
tered like  young  Partridges,  uttering  a  piping  note  like  that 
of  young  chickens,  and  when  all  was  still,  again  were  re- 
called by  the  mother  with  a  chicky  much  like  the  call  of  the 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  15 

common  hen.  The  party  frequently  saw  coveys  and  broods 
of  these  birds,  the  young  of  which  were  about  half  grown, 
until  they  reached  the  plains  of  Pit  Eiver,  ;N"one  were 
seen  in  the  Klamath  Lake  basin,  the  country  being  too 
bare  and  flat  They  were  again  met  with  among  the  hills 
bordering  the  Willamette  Valley,  and  were  found  from  the 
CoFumbia,  almost  uninterruptedly  through  the  Siski3^ou, 
Oalapooza,  and  Trinity  Mountains,  to  California,  They  are 
favorite  pets  with  the  miners,  by  whom  they  are  frequently 
kept  in  confinement,  and  not  unfrequently  command  a  high 
price.  Their  flesh  is  said  to  be  white  and  excellent,  and 
fully  equal  to  that  of  any  of  the  family. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper,  this  Quail  is  very  rare  in  Wash- 
ington Territory,  a  few  small  coveys  having  been  met  with 
about  Vancouver,  as  he  was  informed  by  the  officers  in  the 
garrison.  He  never  succeeded  in  finding  any,  though  he 
hunted  for  them  several  times  with  a  dog.  They  became 
quite  common  south  of  the  Columbia,  towards  the  prairies 
of  the  Willamette.  He  inquired  especially  for  them  in 
other  parts  of  the  Territory,  but  never  heard  of  them.  In 
California,  south  of  San  Francisco,  this  bird  is  said  to  be  a 
rare  curiosity  to  the  market-hunters,  one  or  two  sometimes 
occurring  among  flocks  of  the  California  Quail.  It  is  known 
to  them  as  the  Mountain  Quail-  I)r.  Suckley  states  that 
the  hirds  in  the  Willamette  Valley  were  introduced  there, 
and  that  they  are  now  multiplying  rapidly  upon  the  prai- 
ries back  of  Fort  Vancouver.  With  a  very  little  care  it  is 
thought  the  whole  of  the  Territory  may  become  well  stocked 
with  them,  as  the  absence  of  foxes  west  of  the  Cascade 
Mountains  and  the  mild  open  winters  are  favorable  for  their 
increase. 

Dr.  Heermann  found  the  birds  of  this  species  wild  and  dif- 
ficult to  procure,  flying  and  scattering  at  the  least  symptom 
of  danger,  and  again  calling  each  other  together  with  a  note 
expressive  of  great  solicitude,  much  resembling  that  of  a 
Hen-Turkey  gathering  her  brood  around  her.  During  the 
survey  he  observed  these  birds  only  once,  and  then  but  for  a 
few  minutes,  as  they,  were  passing  through  a  deep  canon 


16       FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

leading  down  to  Elizabeth  Lake.  They  were  seen  by  the 
hunters  on  the  mountains  surrounding  Tejon  Valley;  but 
though  he  went  several  times  in  search  of  them,  he  ob- 
tained none. 

Mr.  Eidgway  met  with  the  Mountain  Quail  on  the  foot- 
hills of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  the  vicinity  of  Genoa  and 
Carson  City,  and  also  in  the  mountain  ranges  lying  imme- 
diately to  the  eastward  of  the  Sierra.  It  was  quite  rare 
and  very  difficult  to  discover,  and  when  found  was  gener- 
ally met  with  accidentally.  He  obtained  it  in  November 
in  the  thick  chaparral  at  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada. In  May  he  secured  a  pair  in  the  cedar  woods  a  little 
to  the  eastward  of  Carson  City,  and  in  December  a  flock 
was  met  with  on  the  Comstock  Mountain,  near  Pyramid 
Lake.  Its  call-note  when  a  flock  is  scattered  is  almost  ex- 
actly like  that  of  a  Hen-Turkey,  only  proportionally  weaker. 
When  a  flock  is  startled,  they  utter  a  confused  chuckling 
note,  something  like  that  of  the  common  eastern  Quail.  The 
male  has  a  very  pleasant  crowing-note  which  sounds  some 
like  koo-koo-koo'e.  The  settlers  in  Nevada,  say  that,  previ- 
ous to  the  settlement  of  that  country  by  the  whites,  this 
Quail  was  not  found  east  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  affirms 
that  they  followed  the  wagon-roads  over  the  mountains,  in 
the  rear  of  trains  and  wagons,  for  the  purpose  of  picking 
up  the  grain  scattered  along  the  road.  Mr.  Eidgway  does 
not  give  full  credit  to  the  truth  of  these  statements,  as  he 
was  informed  by  the  Indians  at  Pyramid  Lake,  that,  within 
the  memory  of  the  oldest  members  of  their  tribe,  it  had 
always  been  found  in  that  vicinity. 

An  Qgg  of  this  species  taken  by  Dr.  Canfield,  near  Mon- 
terey, California,  measures  1.45  inches  in  length  by  1.10  in 
breadth.  It  is  oval  in  shape;  one  end  is  considerably  more 
pointed  than  the  other.  It  is  of  a  very  rich  cream-color, 
with  a  reddish  shading,  and  unspotted. —  Vol.  TTI.,  Baird. 
Brewer  and  Bid g way. 


CALIFORNIA   PARTRIDGE;    VALLEY    QUAIL. 


THE    PARTRIDGES.  17 

CALIFOEOTA  PAETEIDGE;  YALLEY  QUAIL. 
Lophortyx  Californicus. — Bonap. 

Sp.  Char.— Crest  black.  Anterior  half  of  body  and  upper 
parts  plumbeous ;  the  wings  and  back  glossed  with  olive- 
brown.  Anterior  half  of  head  above  brownish  yellow,  the 
shafts  of  the  stiff  feathers  black;  behind  this  a  white  trans- 
verse band  which  passes  back  along  the  side  of  the  crown ; 
within  this  white,  anteriorly  and  laterally,  is  a  black  suffu- 
sion. The  vertex  and  occiput  are  light  brown.  Chin  and 
throat  black,  margined  laterally  and  behind  by  a  white 
band,  beginning  behind  the  eye.  Belly  pale  buff  anteriorly 
(an  orange-brown  rounded  patch  in  the  middle)  and  white 
laterally,  the  feathers  all  margined  abruptly  with  black. 
The  feathers  on  the  sides  of  body  like  the  back,  streaked 
centrally  with  white.  Feathers  of  top  and  sides  of  neck 
with  the  margins  and  shafts  black.  Under  tail-coverts 
buff,  broadly  streaked  centrally  with  brown. 

Female  similaii,  without  the  white  and  black  of  the  head; 
the  feathers  of  the  throat  brownish-yellow,  streaked  with 
brown.  The  buff  and  orange-brown  of  the  belly  wanting. 
The  crest  short.     Length,  9.50;  wing,  4.32;  tail,  4.12. 

Young. — Head  as  in  the  adult  female.  Upper  parts  pale 
brown,  finely  mottled  transversely  with  black;  scapulars 
and  feathers  of  the  back  with  yellowish-white  shaft  streaks, 
widening  at  the  end  of  the  feather,  and  with  a  large  black 
spot  on  each  web. 

Chick. — Ground-color  dingy  white,  tinged  on  the  head, 
wings,  and  upper  parts  with  pale  rusty.  A  broad  stripe 
on  occiput  and  nape  umber-brown ;  upper  parts  with  rather 
confused  and  rather  elongated  mottlings ;  an  indistinct  au- 
ricular spot.     Beneath  plain  dull  white. 

Hab. — Yalley  portions  and  foot-hills  of  the  Pacific  Prov- 
ince of  the  United  States,  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Habits. — This  beautiful  species,  according  to  Dr.  New- 
berry, is  called  the  Yalley  Quail  in  California,  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  Plumed  Quail,  which  inhabits  the  hills  and  the 


18      FRANK  SCIILEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

high  lands,  and  is  called  the  Mountain  Quail.  The  common 
Valley  Quail  of  California  inhabits  the  prairies  and  the 
grain-fields  of  the  cultivated  districts,  and  frequents  the 
thickets  which  border  the  streams,  usually  in  coveys  of  from 
a  dozen  to  a  hundred  individuals,  except  during  the  breed- 
ing-season, when  it  is  found  only  in  pairs.  Like  the  east- 
ern Quail,  the  male  bird  is  very  fond  of  sitting  on  some 
stump  or  log  projecting  above  the  grass  and  weeds  which 
conceal  his  mate  and  nest  or  brood,  and,  especially  in  the 
early  morning,  uttering  his  peculiar  cry, — whistle  it  can 
hardly  be  called.  This  note  is  spoken  of  as  being  rather 
harsh  and  disagreeable  than  otherwise,  and  somewhat  re- 
sembling that  of  some  of  the  Woodpeckers.  Dr.  Newberry 
adds  that  it  may  be  represented  by  the  syllables  knck-kiick- 
kuck-ka.  the  first  three  notes  being  rapidly  repeated,  the 
last  prolonged  with  a  falling  inflection.  As  a  game  bird 
he  regards  this  Quail  as  inferior  to  the  eastern  one,  though 
of  equal  excellence  for  the  table.  It  does  not  lie  so  well  to 
the  dog,  does  not  afl^'ord  as  good  sport,  and  takes  to  a  ti^e 
much  more  readily  than  the  eastern  Quail.  It  is  found  in 
all  the  valleys  of  California  and  Oregon,  both  those  in  the 
interior  and. those  that  open  on  the  coast.  It  is  not  found 
in  the  deep  forests,  nor  on  the  mountains  at  any  consider- 
able elevation,  nor  in  the  interior  basin  where  water  and 
vegetation  are  scarce.  Specimens  were  taken  by  his  party 
in  difi:erent  parts  of  the  Sacramento  Yalley,  at  Fort  Jones, 
and  in  the  Willamette  Yalley,  near  the  Columbia.  In  all 
these  there  was  no  aj)preciable  difference.  This  bird  is  said 
to  make  no  elaborate  nest,  but  to  lay  a  large  number  of 
eggs  on  the  ground,  which  are  generally  hatched  in  June. 
This  bird  is  susceptible  of  domestication,  and  forms  quite 
an  ornament  for  parks,  in  which  they  thrive  with  proper 
care. 

Dr.  Suckley  states  that  this  Quail  was  successfully  intro- 
duced into  Washington  TeiTitory,   on  the  prairies   near 
Puget  Sound,  in  the  spring  of  1857,  by  Governor  Char  les 
H.  Mason  and  Mr.  Goldsborough.     Two  lots  were  introdu- 
ced, and  by  the  following  winter  had  increased  largely. 


THE    PARTRIDGES.  19 

Mr,  Gibbs  mentions  haying  met  with  great  numbers  of 
these  birds  in  Eussian  Eiver  in  1851,  and  again  in  the  Kla- 
math in  1852,  They  were  very  tame,  but  took  to  the  bushes 
when  disturbed,  perching  on  the  limbs.  Like  the  sharp- 
tailed  Grouse,  they  gathered  in  large  flocks.  This  was  the 
case  even  when  young,  and  it  has  been  thence  inferred  that 
several  females  belong  to  one  male,  and  with  their  broods 
all  run  together. 

Dr.  Kennerly  states  that  his  party  first  met  with  this 
beautiful  Partridge  upon  reaching  the  waters  of  the  Mo- 
have Eiver,  and  during  the  march  up  the  stream  he  found 
it  yery  abundant,  as  well  as  among  the  settlements  along 
the  coast.  He  could  perceive  no  diiference  in  its  habits 
from  those  of  Lophortyx  gamhelL 

Dr.  Heermann  states  that  he  found  the  California  Quail 
very  numerous  as  far  south  as  Yallecita,  where  commences 
the  desert  that  extends  to  the  Colorado,  forming  an  appar- 
ently impassable  barrier  between  it  and  the  closely  allied 
species,  Gambel's  Partridge.  When  flushed  from  the 
ground,  it  invariably  flies  to  the  trees,  if  in  a  wooded  coun- 
try, where  it  squats  so  closely  lengthwise  on  a  branch  that 
it  can  rarely  be  seen  when  thus  hidden.  It  will  not  lie  to 
a  dog,  but  runs  until  it  is  forced  to  fly.  It  may  be  readily 
tamed,  and  in  California  is  often  domesticated  with  the 
poultry.  Several  years  since,  according  to  Dr.  Heermann, 
an  attempt  was  made  to  introduce  these  birds  into  Long 
Island,  which  at  first  promised  to  be  successful;  but  unfor- 
tunately, after  the  first  season,  they  were  all  exterminated 
by  the  gunners  for  the  New  York  market. 

Mr.  Eidgway  met  with  this  species  only  on  the  west 
slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  at  an  altitude  of  not  more 
than  four  or  five  thousand  feet.  He  had  no  opportunity  to 
learn  anything  in  regard  to  its  habits,  but  was  enabled  to 
listen  to  its  notes.  The  call-note  of  the  male  is  very  pecu- 
liar, and  resembles  somewhat  the  syllables  kuck-Jmck-kee,  the 
accent  being  on  the  last  syllable.  The  common  note  of  the 
male  bird,  when  disturbed  with  its  mate  in  the  bushes,  and 
probably  having  a  brood  of  young  in  the  vicinity,  was  a 


20      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

sharp  pit,  precisely  like  the  common  note  of  the  Cardinal 
Grosbeak.  The  nest  of  this  bird  is  made  in  the  open  fields 
or  at  the  foot  of  a  bush,  and  is  composed  of  loose  grasses 
arranged  without  much  care.  The  eggs  are  said  to  be 
twelve  or  sixteen  in  number,  and  are  yellowish  or  grayish 
white,  spotted  and  dashed  with  dark  brown  or  burnt  umber. 

Mr.  Titian  E.  Peale,  in  his  Notes  on  the  Wilkes  Expedi- 
tion, mentions  observing  this  species  in  the  mountainous 
regions  of  Southern  Oregon,  near  the  43d  degree  of  north 
latitude,  which  he  regarded  as  their  farthest  northern 
range.  He  frequently  observed  them  collecting  at  night 
to  roost  in  trees.  At  such  times  their  call-note  was  plain- 
tive, and  had  a  slight  resemblance  to  the  words  cut-cut-cut 
me-too.  Specimens  of  this  bird  were  taken  alive,  kept  by 
members  of  the  expedition,  and  brought  to  the  City  of 
Washington  by  a  route  equal  to  the  circumference  of  the 
Globe,  where  they  produced  one  brood  of  young. 

Soda  Lake,  the  "sink"  of  the  Mohave  Kiver,  the  bed  of 
which  is  usually  quite  dry,  except  in  spots,  for  many  miles, 
is  said  by  Dr.  Coues  to  be  just  where  this  species  and  the 
Jj.  gambeli  find  a  neutral  ground,  the  western  bird  following 
the  water-courses  until  arrested  by  the  desert. 

Mr.  Xantus  found  this  Quail  breeding  in  great  abundance 
at  Cape  St.  Lucas.  In  one  instance  he  found  four  Qggti  on 
the  bare  sand,  under  a  pile  of  drift-wood,  without  any  trace 
of  a  nest.  In  another,  three  eggs  were  found  on  the  bare 
ground,  under  a  fallen  cactus.  In  a  third  case  there  were 
nine  eggs,  also  laid  on  the  bare  ground,  but  in  the  shade  of 
a  jasmine-bush.  They  were  frequently  found  sheltered 
under  piles  of  drift-wood. 

The  eggs  of  this  Quail  are  subject  to  great  variations 
in  marking,  and  also  diifer  somewhat  in  size.  They  are 
sharply  pointed  at  one  end  and  rounded  at  the  other.  One 
^gg,  measuring  1.30  in  length  by  1.00  in  breadth,  has  a 
ground-color  of  creamy  white,  freckled  with  markings  of 
a  uniform  shading  of  an  olivaceous-drab.  Another,  meas- 
uring 1.22  by  .91  inches,  has  the  ground-color  of  the  same, 
but  the  markings  are  larger  and  more  confluent,  and  their 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  21 

color  is  a  rusty  drab.  A  third  is  1.18  by  .95  inches ;  ground- 
color a  creamy  white  marked  by  large  scattered  spots  of 
a  chestnut-brown, — Baird^  Brewer  and  Ridgway, 


GAMBEL'S  PAKTRIDGE;  ARIZONA  QUAIL. 
Lophortyx  gambeli. — Gambbl. 

Sp,  Char, — General  color  cinereous ;  abdoman  plain  whit- 
ish ;  inner  or  upper  webs  of  tertials  broadly  edged  with 
white.  Elongated  feathers  of  the  sides  bright  chestnut 
with  a  medial  streak  of  white. 

Male. — The  a,sh  on  the  breast  of  a  bluish  caste,  and  the 
whitish  of  the  belly  strongly  tinged  with  yellowish-buif, 
especially  anteriorly;  abdoman  with  a  black  patch.  An- 
terior half  of  the  head,  and  whole  throat,  deep  black,  bor- 
dered posteriorly  with  two  broad,  well-defined  stripes 
of  white, — ^the  upper  of  these  crossing  the  middle  of  the 
vertex  and  running  backward  above  the  auriculars  to 
the  occiput;  the  other  beginning  at  the  posterior  angle 
of  the  eye  and  running  downward.  Vertex  and  occiput 
bright  rufous,  bounded  anteriorly  and  laterally  with  black. 
Crest  of  black  elongated,  club-shaped,  and  considerably  re- 
curved feathers,  springing  from  the  vertex  just  behind  the 
black  bar,  one  and  a  half  inches  long.  Wing,  4.70;  tail, 
4.30;  bill,  .50  long,  and  .25  deep;  tarsus,  1.15;  middle  toe, 
1.15. 

Female. — Head  plain  grayish,  without  white,  black,  or 
rufous ;  no  black  on  abdoman,  which  also  lacks  a  decided 
buff  tinge ;  the  cinereous  of  breast  without,  bluish  caste. 
Crest  dusky,  less  than  one  inch  long.  Wing,  4.55;  tail, 
4.20. 

Young. — Upper  parts  ashy  brown,  minutely  and  indis- 
tinctly mottled  ti-ansversely  with  dusky;  scapulars  and 
wing-coverts  with  white  shaft-streaks,  the  former  with 
pairs  of  dusky  spots.  Breast  and  sides  with  obsolete  whit- 
ish bars  on  an  ashy  ground. 


22      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTINa. 

Chick. — Dull  sulphur-yellowish;  a  vertical  patch,  and 
two  parallel  stripes  along  each  side  of  the  back,  (four  alto- 
gether), black.     (Described  from  Grayson's  plate). 

Hab. — Colorado  Valley  of  the  United  States;  north  to 
Southern  Utah,  and  east  to  Western  Texas. 

Habits. — Gambel's  Partridge  was  obtained  by  Dr.  Ken- 
nerly,  near  San  Elizario,  Texas,  and  on  Colorado  Eiver, 
California,  by  Mr.  A.  S<3hott,  and  also  by  Dr.  Kennerly.  It 
was  not  observed  by  Dr.  Kennerly  until  he  reached  the 
Valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  nor  did  he  meet  with  any  farther 
west,  in  any  part  of  Mexico,  than  San  Bernardino,  in  Son- 
ora.  Though  closely  resembling  in  its  habits  the  Scaly 
Partridge,  {Callipepla  squamata),  and  in  some  instances  oc- 
cupying the  same  districts,  he  never  found  the  two  species 
together. 

According  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Clark,  this  species  was  not  met 
with  east  of  the  Eio  Grande,  nor  farther  south  than  Pres- 
idio del  Norte.  Unlike  the  squamata,  it  is  very  common 
for  this  species  to  sit  on  the  branches  of  trees  and  bushes, 
particularly  the  male,  w^here  the  latter  is  said  to  utter  the 
most  sad  and  wailing  notes.  They  are  so  very  tame  as  to 
come  about  the  Mexican  towns,  the  inhabitants  of  which, 
however,  never  make  any  effort  to  capture  them.  They 
only  inhabit  wooded  and  well-watered  regions,  and  are  said 
to  feed  indifferently  on  insects  or  on  berries;  in  summer 
they  make  the  patches  of  solarium  their  home,  feeding  on 
its  quite  palatable  fruit.  When  flushed,  this  Quail  always 
seeks  the  trees,  and  hides  successfully  among  the  branches. 

Dr.  Kennerly  found  this  beautiful  species  in  great  num- 
bers during  the  march  of  his  party  up  the  Eio  Grande. 
Large  flocks  were  continually  crossing  the  road  before 
them,  or  were  seen  huddled  together  under  a  bush.  After 
passing  the  river  he  met  with  them  again  so  abundantly 
along  Partridge  Creek  as  to  give  rise  to  the  name  of  that 
stream.  Thence  to  the  Great  Colorado  he  occasionally  saw 
them,  but  after  leaving  that  river  they  were  not  again  seen. 
They  are  said  to  become  quite  tame  and  half  domesticated 
where  they  are  not  molested.     When  pursued,  they  can 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  23 

seldom  be  made  to  fly,  depending  more  upon  their  feet  as 
a  mode  of  escape  than  upon  their  wings.  They  run  very 
rapidly,  but  seldom,  if  ever,  hide,  and  remain  close  in  the 
grass  or  bushes  in  the  manner  of  the  eastern  Quail. 

From  Fort  Yuma,  on  the  Colorado  Eiver,  to  Eagle  Springs, 
between  El  Paso  and  San  Antonio,  where  he  last  saw  a 
flock  of  these  birds,  Dr.  Heermann  states  he  found  them 
more  or  less  abundant  whenever  the  party  followed  the 
course  of  the  Gila,  or  met  with  water-holes  or  streams  of 
any  kind.  Although  they  frequent  the  most  arid  portions 
of  the  country,  where  they  find  a  scanty  subsistence  of 
grass-seed,  mesquite  leaves,  and  insects,  they  yet  manifest 
a  marked  preference  for  the  habitations  of  man,  and  were 
much  more  numerous  in  the  cultivated  fields  of  Tucson, 
Mesilla  Valley,  and  El  Paso.  Towards  evening,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Mexican  villages,  the  loud  call-notes  of  the 
male  birds  may  be  heard,  gathering  the  scattered  members 
of  the  flocks,  previous  to  issuing  from  the  cover  where  they 
have  been  concealed  during  the  day.  Eesorting  to  the 
trails  and  the  roads  in  search  of  subsistence,* while  thus 
engaged  they  utter  a  low  Soft  note  which  keeps  the  flock 
together.  They  are  not  of  a  wild  nature — often  permit  a 
near  approach,  seldom  fly  unless  suddenly  flushed,  and  seem 
to  prefer  to  escape  from  danger  by  retreating  to  dense 
thickets.  In  another  report  Dr.  Heerman  mentions  finding 
this  species  in  California  on  the  Mohave  desert  at  the  point 
where  the  river  empties  into  a  large  salt  lake  forming  its 
terminus.  The  flock  was  wild,  and  could  not  be  approached. 
Afterwards  he  observed  them  on  the  Big  Lagoon  of  ISTew 
Eiver.  At  Fort  Yuma  they  were  quite  abundant,  congre- 
gating in  large  coveys,  frequenting  the  thick  underwood  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  mesquite-trees.  Their  stomachs  were 
found  to  be  filled  with  the  seeds  of  the  mesquite,  a  few 
grass  seeds,  and  the  berries  of  a  parasitic  plant.  On  being 
suddenly  flushed  these  birds  separate  very  widely,  but  im« 
mediately  upon  alighting  commence  their  call-note,  resem- 
bling the  soft  chirp  of  a  young  chicken,  which  is  kept  up 
for  some  time.     The  alarm  over,  and  the  flock  once  more 


24      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

reunited,  they  relapse  into  silence,  only  broken  by  an  occa- 
sional cluck  of  the  male  bird.  Once  scattered  they  cannot 
be  readily  started  again,  as  they  lie  close  in  their  thick, 
bushy,  and  impenetrable  coverts.  Near  Fort  Yuma  the 
Indians  catch  them  in  snares,  and  bring  them  in  great 
numbers  for  sale. 

Dr.  Samuel  W.  Woodhouse  first  met  with  this  species  on 
the  Eio  Grande,  about  fifty  miles  below  El  Paso,  up  to 
which  place  it  was  extremely  abundant.  It  was  by  no 
means  a  shy  bird,  frequently  coming  about  the  houses; 
and  he  very  often  observed  the  males  perched  on  the  top 
of  a  high  bush,  uttering  their  peculiarly  mournful  calls. 
He  found  it  in  quite  large  flocks,  feeding  principally  on  seeds 
and  berries.  It  became  scarce  as  he  approached  Dona 
Ana,  above  which  place  he  did  not  meet  with  it  again.  He 
again  encountered  it,  however,  near  the  head  of  Bill  Wil- 
liams Eiver  and  afterwards  on  the  Tampia  Creek,  and  it 
was  exceedingly  abundant  all  along  the  Great  Colorado. 
He  was  informed  that  they  are  never  found  west  of  the 
Coast  Eange,  in  California.  About  Camp  Yuma,  below  the 
mouth  of  the  Gila  Eiver,  they  were  very  abundant  and 
very  tame,  coming  quite  near  the  men,  and  picking  up  the 
grain  wasted  by  the  mules.  They  are  trapped  in  great 
numbers  by  the  Indians. 

This  Quail  is  given  by  Mr.  Dresser  as  occurring  in  Texas, 
but  not  as  a  common  bird,  and  only  found  in  certain  locali- 
ties. At  Muddy  Creek,  near  Fort  Clark,  they  were  not 
uncommon,  and  were  also  found  near  the  Nueces  Eiver. 

Dr.  Coues  ( J6?'s,  1866),  in  a  monograph  upon  this  species, 
describes  its  carriage  upon  the  ground  as  being  firm  and 
erect,  and  at  the  same  time  light  and  easy,  and  with  colors 
no  less  pleasing  than  its  form.  He  found  them  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly abundant  in  Arizona,  and  soon  after  his  arrival 
in  the  Territory  he  came  upon  a  brood  that  was  just  out  of 
the  Q^gg.  They  were,  however,  so  active,  and  hid  them- 
selves so  dexterously  that  he  could  not  catch  one.  This 
was  late  in  July,  and  throughout  the  following  month  he 
met  broods  only  a  few  days  old.     The  following  spring  he 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  25 

found  the  old  birds  mated  by  April  25,  and  met  witb  the 
first  chick  on  the  first  of  June.  He  infers  that  this  species, 
is  in  incubation  during  the  whole  of  May,  June,  July,  and 
a  part  of  August,  and  that  they  raise  two,  and  even  three, 
broods  *  in  a  season.  A  single  brood  sometimes  embraces 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  young,  which  by  October  are  nearly 
as  large  as  their  parents.  While  under  the  care  of  the  lat- 
ter they  keep  very  close  together,  and  when  alarmed  either 
run  away  rapidly  or  squat  so  closely  as  to  be  difficult  to 
flush,  and,  when  forced  up,  they  soon  alight  again.  They 
often  take  to  low  limbs  of  trees,  huddle  closely  together, 
and  permit  a  close  approach.  The  first  intimation  that  a 
bevy  is  near  is  a  single  note  repeated  two  or  three  times, 
followed  by  the  rustling  of  leaves  as  the  flock  starts  to  run. 

These  birds  are  said  to  be  found  in  almost  every  locality 
except  thick  pine-woods  without  undergrowth,  and  are 
particularly  fond  of  thick  willow  copses,  heavy  chaparral, 
and  briery  undergrowth.  They  prefer  seeds  and  fruit,  but 
insects  also  form  a  large  part  of  their  food.  In  the  early 
spring  they  feed  extensively  on  the  tender  fresh  buds  of 
young  willows,  which  give  to  their  flesh  a  bitter  taste. 

This  Quail  is  said  to  have  three  distinct  notes, — ^the  com- 
mon cry  uttered  on  all  occasions  of  alarm  or  to  call  the 
bevy  tpgether,  which  is  a  single  mellow  clear  "chink," 
with  a  metallic  resonance,  repeated  an  indefinite  number  of 
times ;  then  a  clear,  loud,  energetic  whistle,  resembling  the 
syllables  Mllink-killink,  chiefly  heard  during  the  pairing  sea- 
son, and  is  analogous  to  the  bob-white  of  the  common  Quail; 
the  third  is  its  love-song,  than  which.  Dr.  Coues  adds,  noth- 
ing more  unmusical  can  well  be  imagined.  It  is  uttered 
by  the  male,  and  only  when  the  female  is  incubating.  This 
song  is  poured  forth  both  at  sunrise  and  at  sunset,  from 
some  topmost  twig  near  the  spot  where  his  mate  is  sitting 
on  her  treasures;  and  with  outstretched  neck,  drooping 
wings,  and  plume  negligently  dangling,  he  gives  utterance 
to  his  odd,  guttural,  energetic  notes. 

The  flight  of  these  birds  is  exceedingly  rapid  and  vigor- 
4 


26      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SH00TIN9. 

ous,  and  is  always  even  and  direct,  and  in  shooting  only 
^requires  a  quick  hand  and  eye. 

In  his  journey  from  Arizona  to  the  Pacific,  Dr.  Coues 
found  these  birds  singularly  abundant  along  the  Valley  of 
the  Colorado ;  and  he  was  again  struck  with  its  indifference 
as  to  its  place  of  residence,  being  equally  at  home  in  scorched 
mesquite  thickets,  dusting  itself  in  sand  that  would  blister 
the  naked  feet,  the  thermometer  at  117°  Fah.  in  the  shade, 
and  in  the  mountains  of  Northern  Arizona,  when  the  pine 
boughs  were  bending  under  the  weight  of  the  snow.  He 
also  states  that  Dr.  Cooper,  while  at  Fort  Mohave,  brought 
up  some  Gambel's  Quails  by  placing  the  eggs  under  a  com- 
mon Hen,  and  found  no  difficulty  in  domesticating  them, 
so  that  they  associated  freely  with  the  barnyard  fowls. 
The  eggs,  he  adds,  are  white,  or  yellowish-white,  with 
brown  spots,  and  were  hatched  out  in  twenty-four  days. 
The  nest  is  said  to  be  a  rather  rude  structure,  about  eight 
inches  wide,  and  is  usually  hidden  in  the  grass.  The  eggs 
number  from  twelve  to  seventeen. 

Captain  S.  G.  French,  quoted  by  Mr.  Cassin,  writes  that 
he  met  with  this  species  on  the  Rio  Grande,  seventy  miles 
below  El  Paso,  and  from  that  point  to  the  place  named 
their  numbers  constantly  increased.  They  appeared  to  be 
partial  to  the  abodes  of  man,  and  were  very  numerous 
about  the  old  and  decayed  buildings,  gardens,  fields,  and 
vineyards  around  Presidio,  Isoleta,  and  El  Paso.  During 
his  stay  there  in  the  summer  of  1851,  every  morning  and 
evening  their  welcome  call  was  heard  all  around ;  and  at 
early  and  late  hours  they  were  constantly  to  be  found  in 
the  sandy  roads  and  paths  near  the  villages  and  farms.  In 
the  middle  of  the  hot  summer  days,  however,  they  rested 
in  the  sand,  under  the  shade  and  protection  of  the  thick 
chaparral.  When  disturbed,  they  glided  through  the  bushes 
very  swiftly,  seldom  resorting  to  flight,  uttering  a  pe(?aliar 
chirping  note.  The  parents  would  utter  the  same  chirping 
cry  whenever  an  attempt  was  made  to  capture  their  young. 
The  male  and  female  bird  were  always  found  with  the 
young,  showing  much  affection  for  them,  and  even  endeav- 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  27 

oring  to  attract  attention  away  from  them,  by  their  actions 
and  cries. 

Colonel  McCall  (Proc.  Phil.  Ac,  June,  1851),  also  gives 
an  account  of  this  bird,  as  met  with  by  him  in  Western 
Texas,  between  San  Antonio  and  the  Eio  Grande  Eiver,  as 
well  as  in  New  Mexico.  He  did  not  fall  in  with  it  until  he 
had  reached  the  Limpia  Eiver,  a  hundred  miles  west  of  the 
Pecos,  in  Texas,  where  the  Acacia  glandulosa  was  more  or 
less  common,  and  the  mesquite-grasses  and  other  plants 
bearing  nutritious  seeds  were  abundant.  There  they  were 
very  numerous  and  very  fat,  and  much  disposed  to  seek 
the  farms  and  cultivate  the  acquaintance  of  man.  About 
the  ranch  o  of  Mr.  White,  near  El  Paso,  he  found  them  very 
numerous,  and,  in  flocks  of  fifty  or  a  hundred,  resorting 
morning  and  evening  to  the  barnyard,  feeding  around  the 
grain-stacks  in  company  with  the  poultry,  and  receiving 
their  portion  from  the  hand  of  the  owner.  He  found  them 
distributed  through  the  country  from  the  Limpia  to  the 
Eio  Grande,  and  along  the  latter  river  from  Eagle  Spring 
Pass  to  Dona  Ana. 

The  same  careful  observer,  in  a  communication  to  Mr. 
Cassin,  gives  the  western  limit  of  this  species.  He  thinks 
it  is  confined  to  a  narrow  belt  of  country  between  the  31st 
and  34th  parallels  of  latitude,  from  the  Pecos  Eiver,  in 
Texas,  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the  contiguous  desert  in 
California.  It  has  not  been  found  on  the  western  side  of 
these  mountains. 

Colonel  McCall  met  with  it  at  Alamo  Mucho,  forty-four 
miles  west  of  the  Colorado  Eiver.  West  of  this  stretches 
a  desolate  waste  of  sand, — a  barrier  which  effectually  sep- 
arates this  species  from  its  ally,  the  California  Quail. 

This  species  is  known  to  be  abundant  in  the  country 
around  the  sources  of  the  Gila  Eiver,  and  has  also  been 
found  along  that  river  from  the  Pimo  villages  to  its  mouth, 
and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  inhabits  the  entire  valley  of 
the  Gila.  It  was  also  common  along  the  Colorado  Eiver, 
as  far  as  the  mouth  oi  the  Gila,  and  has  been  met  with  in 
that  valley  as  high  up  as  Tampia  Creek,  latitude  34°. 


28    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

Colonel  McCall  regards  this  species  as  less  wild  and  vigi- 
lant than  the  California  species.  It  is  later  in  breeding,  as 
coveys  of  young  California  Quail  were  seen,  one-fourth 
grown,  June  4,  while  all  the  birds  of  Gambel's  were  with- 
out their  young  as  late  as  June  16.  The  cry  may  be  imi- 
tated by  slowly  pronouncing  in  a  low  tone  the  syllables 
kaa-wale,  kaa-wale.  When  the  day  is  calm  and  still,  these 
notes  may  be  heard  to  a  surprising  distance.  This  song  is 
continued,  at  short  intervals,  in  the  evening,  for  about  an 
hour.  Later  in  the  season  when  a  covey  is  dispersed,  the 
cry  for  reassembling  is  said  to  resemble  qua-el  qua-el.  The 
voice  of  this  bird  at  all  seasons  bears  a  great  resemblance 
to  that  of  the  California  Quail,  but  has  no  resemblance  to 
that  of  the  eastern  Ortyx  Virginiana.  In  their  crops  Avere 
found  the  leaves  of  the  mesquite,  coleopterous  insects,  wild 
gooseberries,  etc. 

An  egg  of  this  sjjecies,  taken  by  Dr.  Palmer  at  Camp 
Grant,  measures  1.25  inches  in  length  by  1.00  in  breadth. 
The  ground-color  is  a  cream  white,  beautifully  marked  w4th 
ragged  spots  of  a  deep  chestnut.  In  shape  it  closely  cor- 
responds with  the  egg  of  the  California  Partridge. — North 
American  Birds,  Baird,  Brewer  and  Bidgway,  Vol.  III. 


SCALED  OE  BLUE  PARTRIDGE. 

Callipepla  Squamata. — Geay. 

Sp.  Char. — Head  with  a  full,  broad,  flattened  crest  of  soft 
elongated  feathers.  Prevailing  color  plumbeous -gray,  with 
a  fine  bluish  caste  on  jugulum  and  nape,  whitish  on  the 
bellj^,  the  central  portion  of  which  is  more  or  less  tinged 
Vith  brownish ;  sometimes  a  conspicuous  abdominal  patch 
of  dark  rusty,  the  exposed  surface  of  the  wings  tinged  with 
light  yellowish-brown,  and  very  finely  and  almost  imper- 
ceptibly mottled.  Head  and  throat  without  markings, 
light  grayish-plumbeous;    throat  tinged  with   yellowish- 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  29 

brown.  Feathers  of  neck,  upper  part  of  back,  and  under 
parts  generally,  except  on  the  sides  and  behind,  with  a  nar- 
row but  well  defined  margin  of  blackish,  producing  the 
eifect  of  imbricated  scales.  Feathers  on  the  sides  streaked 
centrally  with  white.  Inner  edge  of  inner  tertials,  and 
tips  of  long  feathers  of  the  crest,  whitish.  Crissum  rusty- 
white,  streaked  with  rusty.  Female  similar.  Length,  9.50 ; 
wing,  4.80;  tail,  4.10. 

Hab. — Table-lands  of  Mexico  and  Valley  of  Eio  Grande 
of  Texas.  Most  abundant  on  the  high  broken  table-lands 
and  mesquite  plains. — Baird,  Brewer  and  Bidgway. 

Habits. — The  description  of  the  habits  of  this  Partridge 
is  as  described  in  the  "!N'orth  American  Birds,"  by  Baird, 
Brewer  and  Kidgway.  They  state:  This  bird  was  first 
described  as  a  Mexican  species  in  1830,  by  Mr.  Yigors.  For 
a  long  while  it  has  been  an  extremely  rare  species  in  col- 
lections, and  its  history,  habits,  and  distribution  Remained 
unknown  until  the  explorations  of  the  naturalists  made  in 
the  survey  under  the  direction  of  the  national  government. 
It  was  first  noticed  within  the  territory  of  the  United 
States  by  Lieutenant  Abert,  Topogi^aphical  Engineer,  who, 
in  his  Report  of  the  examination  of  New  Mexico,  furnished 
several  notes  in  relation  to  this  species.  In  November, 
1846,  he  mentions  that,  after  having  passed  through  Las 
Casas,  while  descending  through  a  crooked  ravine  strewn 
with  fragments  of  rocks,  he  saw  several  flocks  of  this  spe- 
cies. They  were  running  along  with  great  velocity  among 
the  clumps  of  the  kreosote  plant.  At  the  report  of  the 
gun  only  three  or  four  rose  up,  the  rest  seeming  to  depend 
chiefly  on  their  fleetness  of  foot.  Their  stomachs  were 
found  to  be  filled  with  grass-seeds  and  hemipterous  insects. 

Captain  S.  G.  French,  in  notes  quoted  by  Mr.  Cassin, 
mentions  meeting  with  these  birds,  in  the  same  year,  near 
Camargo,  on  the  Rio  Grande.  At  Monterey  none  were 
seen ;  but  on  the  plains  of  Agua  Nueva,  a  few  miles  south 
of  Saltillo,  they  were  observed  in  considerable  numbers. 
He  afterwards  met  with  them  on  the  Upper  Rio  Grande, 
in  the  vicinity  of  El  Paso. 


30      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

Though  found  in  the  same  section  of  country  with  Gam- 
bel's  Quail,  they  were  not  observed  to  associate  together  in 
the  same  flock.  Their  favorite  resorts  were  sandy  chap- 
arral and  mesquite  bushes.  Through  these  they  ran  with 
great  swiftness,  resorting  only,  when  greatly  alarmed  by  a 
sudden  approach,  to  their  wings.  They  were  very  shy, 
and  were  seldom  found  near  habitations,  though  once  a 
large  covey,  ran  through  his  camp  in  the  suburbs  of  El 
Paso. 

Colonel  McCall  (Proc.  Phil.  Ac,  Y.,  p.  222)  mentions  meet- 
ing with  this  species  throughout  an  extended  region,  from 
Camargo,  on  the  Lower  Eio  Grande,  to  Santa  Fe.  They 
were  most  numerous  between  the  latter  place  and  Dona  Ana, 
preferring  the  vicinity  of  water-courses  to  interior  tracts. 
They  were  wild,  exceedingly  watchful,  and  swift  of  foot, 
eluding  pursuit  with  surprising  skill,  scarcely  ever  resort- 
ing to  flight  even  on  the  open  sandy  ground.  For  the  table 
they  are  said  to  possess,  in  a  high  degree,  the  requisites  of 
plump  muscle  and  delicate  flavor. 

In  a  subsequent  sketch  of  this  species,  quoted  by  Mr. 
Cassin,  the  same  writer  gives  as  the  habitat  at  the  entire 
Yalley  of  the  Eio  Grande, — a  territory  of  great  extent  from 
north  to  south,  and  embracing  in  its  stretch  between  the 
Eocky  Mountains  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  every  variety  of 
climate.  This  entire  region,  not  excepting  even  the  moun- 
tain valleys  covered  in  winter  with  deep  snow,  is  inhabited 
by  it.  It  was  found  by  him  from  the  25th  to  the  38th  de- 
gree of  north  latitude,  or  from  below  Monterey,  in  Mexico, 
along  the  borders  of  the  San  Juan  Elver,  as  high  up  as  the 
Taos  and  other  northern  branches  of  the  Eio  Grande.  He 
also  found  it  at  the  head  of  the  Eiado  Creek,  which  rises 
in  the  Eocky  Mountains  and  runs  eastwardly  to  the  Cana- 
dian. 

Wherever  found,  they  are  always  resident,  proving  their 
ability  to  endure  great  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  In 
swiftness  of  foot,  no  species  of  this  family  can  comjjete 
with  them.  When  running,  they  hold  their  heads  high 
and  keep  the  body  erect,  and  seem  to  skim  over  the  sur- 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  31 

face  of  the  ground,  their  white  plume  erected  and  spread 
out  like  a  fan. 

On  the  Mexican  side  of  the  Eio  G-rande  this  species  is 
found  farther  south  than  on  the  western  bank,  owing  to 
the  rugged  character  of  the  country.  In  Texas  its  extreme 
southern  point  is  a  little  above  Reinosa,  on  the  first  high- 
lands on  the  bank. 

Don  Pablo  de  la  Llave,  a  Mexican  naturalist,  states,  in 
an  account  of  this  species,  (Registro  Trimestre,  I.,  p.  144, 
Mexico,  1832),  that  he  attempted  its  domestication  in  vain. 
In  confinement  it  was  very  timid,  all  its  movements  were 
rapid,  and,  although  he  fed  his  specimens  for  a  long  time 
each  day,  they  seemed  to  become  more  wild  and  intractable. 
It  was  found  by  him  in  all  the  mesquite  regions  of  North- 
ern Mexico. 

vSpecimens  of  this  Partridge  were  taken  near  San  Pedro, 
Texas,  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Clark,  and  in  New  Leon,  Mexico,  by 
Lieutenant  Couch.  According  to  Mr.  Clark,  they  are  not 
found  on  the  grassy  prairies  near  the  coast.  He  met  with 
them  on  Devil's  River,  in  Texas,  where  his  attention  was 
at  first  dirst  directed  to  them  by  their  very  peculiar  note, 
which,  when  first  heard,  suggested  to  him  the  cry  of  some 
species  of  squirrel.^  In  the  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande 
he  also  met  with  these  birds  in  companies  of  a  dozen  or 
more.  Their  food,  on  the  prairies,  appeared  to  be  entirely 
insectivorous ;  while  on  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  all  the  spec- 
imens that  were  procured  had  their  bills  stained  with  the 
berries  of  the  M)tlntia.  They  were  not  shy,  and  would 
rather  get  out  of  the  way  by  running  than  by  flying.  At 
no  time,  and  under  no  circumstances,  were  they  known  to 
alight  in  bushes  or  in  trees.  They  were  only  known  to 
make  mere  scratches  in  the  ground  for  nests,  and  their  sit- 
uations were  very  carelessly  selected.  Young  birds  were 
found  in  June  and  in  July. 

Lieutenant  Couch  first  met  with  this  species  about  sixty 
leagues  west  of  Matamoras,  and  not  until  free  from  the 
prairies  and  bottom-land.     It  was  occasionally  noticed,  ap- 


32      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

parently  associating  with  the  Ortyx  texana,  to  which  it  is 
very  similar  in  habit. 

Dr.  Kennerly  found  them  everywhere  where  there  was 
a  permanent  supply  of  fresh  water,  from  Limpia  Creek, 
in  Texas,  to  San  Bernardino,  in  Sonora.  They  were  met 
with  on  the  mountain  sides,  or  on  the  hills  among  the  low 
mesquite-bushes  and  barrea.  They  apparently  rely  more 
upon  their  legs  than  upon  their  wings,  ascending  the  most 
precipitous  cliffs  or  disappearing  among  the  bushes  with 
great  rapidity. 

The  most  western  point  at  which  Dr.  Heermann  observed 
this  species  was  the  San  Pedro  Kiver,  a  branch  of  the  Gila, 
east  of  Tucson.  There  a  flock  of  these  birds  ran  before  him 
at  a  quick  pace,  with  outstretched  necks,  heads  elevated, 
crests  erect  and  expanded,  and  soon  disappeared  among 
the  thick  bushes  that  surrounded  them  on  all  sides.  After 
that  they  were  seen  occasionally  until  they  arrived  at  Lym- 
pia  Springs.  Lieutenant  Barton  informed  Dr.  Heermann 
that  he  had  procured  this  species  near  Fort  Clark,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  west  of  San  Antonio,  where, 
however,  it  was  quite  rare.  It  was  found  abundantly  on 
the  open  plains,  often  starting  up  before  the  party  when 
passing  over  the  most  arid  portions  of  the  route.  They 
also  seemed  partial  to  the  prairie-dog  villages.  These, 
covering  large  tracts  of  ground  destitute  of  vegetation, 
probably  offered  the  attraction  of  some  favorite  insect. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  met  with  this  species  on  only  one  occa- 
sion, as  the  party  was  passing  up  the  Eio  Grande,  at  the 
upper  end  of  Yalleverde,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  on 
the  edge  of  the  sand-hills,  feeding  among  the  low  bushes. 
They  were  exceedingly  shy  and  quick-footed.  He  tried 
in  vain  to  make  them  fly,  and  thej^  evidently  preferred 
their  feet  to  their  wings  as  a  means  of  escape.  He  was 
told  that  they  were  found  above  Santa  Fe. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  species  on  the  Eio  Grande  above 
Koma,  and  between  the  Eio  Grande  and  the  Nueces  they 
were  quite  abundant;  wherever  found,  they  seemed  to  have 
the  country  to  themselves,  to  the  exclusion  of  other  spe- 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  33 

cies.  He  reports  them  as  very  difficult  to  shoot,  for  the 
reason  that,  whenever  a  bevy  is  disturbed,  the  birds  scat- 
ter, and,  running  with  outstretched  necks  and  erected  crests, 
dodge  through  the  bushes  like  rabbits,  so  as  soon  to  be  out 
of  reach.  He  has  thus  seen  a  flock  of  ten  or  fifteen  disap- 
pear so  entirely  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  obtain  a  single 
one.  If  left  undisturbed,  they  commence  their  call-note, 
which  is  not  unlike  the  chirp  of  a  chicken,  and  soon  re- 
unite. It  was  utterly  out  of  the  question  to  get  them  to 
rise,  and  the  only  way  to  procure  specimens  was  to  shoot 
them  on  the  ground,  l^ear  the  small  villages  in  Mexico  he 
found  them  very  tame ;  and  at  Presidio,  on  the  Eio  Grande, 
he  noticed  them  in  a  corral,  feeding  with  some  poultry. 
He  did  not  meet  with  their  eggs,  but  they  were  described 
to  him,  by  the  Mexicans,  as  dull  white,  with  minute  red- 
dish spots. 

The  egg  of  the  Callipepla  squamata  is  regularly  oval, 
being  much  more  elongated  than  with  any  other  species  of 
this  family.  It  measures  1.35  inches  in  length  by  .95  in 
breadth.  Its  ground  color  is  a  creamy  white,  and  its  sur- 
face is  minutely  freckled  with  specks  of  a  pale  drab. 


MASSENA  PAETEIDGE. 
Cyrtonyx  massena. — Gould. 

Sp.  Char. — Male. — Head  striped  with  white,  black,  and 
lead  color ;  chin  black.  Feathers  above  streaked  centrally 
with  whitish,  those  on  the  outer  surface  of  the  wings 
with  two  series  of  rounded  black  spots.  Central  line  of 
breast  and  belly  dark  chestnut ;  the  abdomen,  thighs,  and 
crissum  black ;  the  sides  of  breast  and  body  lead  color,  with 
round  white  spots.  Legs  blue.  Length,  8.75 ;  wing,  7.00 ; 
tail,  2.50. 

Female. — Prevailing  color  light  vinaceous-cinnamon,  the 
upper  parts  barred  and  streaked  as  in  the  male.     Head 

5 


34      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

without  white  or  black  stripes.  Sides  with  a  few  narrow, 
irregular  streaks  of  black. 

Young. — Somewhat  similar  to  the  adult  female,  but  lower 
parts  whitish,  the  feathers,  especially  on  the  breast,  with 
transverse  blackish  spots  on  both  webs. 

Chick. — Head  dingy  white,  with  a  broad  occipital  ellipti- 
cal patch  of  chestnut-brown,  and  a  blackish  streak  behind 
the  eye.  Above  rusty-brown,  obscurely  spotted  with  black ; 
a  white  stripe  on  each  side  of  the  rump.  Beneath  almost 
uniform  dull  white. 

IIab. — Chiefly  on  the  Upper  Eio  Grande  from  the  high 
plains  of  the  Pecos.  Fort  Whipple,  Arizonia ;  IS'orthern 
Mexico,  southward,  on  the  west  coast,  to  Mazatlan. — 
Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway. 

Habits. — Baird,  Brewer,  and  Eidgway's  description  of 
this  bird's  habits,  in  the  ]S"orth  American  Birds,  is  as  follows: 
"  This  Quail  was  first  met  with  by  Lieutenant  Couch  in  the 
canon  Cuyapuco,  about  twelve  leagues  south  of  Monterey. 
Though  rather  shy,  they  seemed  quite  at  home  in  the  cul- 
tivated fields  and  stubbles  of  the  ranches." 

Mr.  Clark  first  noticed  the  species  among  a  flock  of  the 
Ortyx  texana.  Once,  on  flushing  a  covey  of  the  latter,  a 
bird  was  seen  to  remain  behind,  and  showed  no  inclination 
to  follow  the  rest.  It  attempted  to  hide  in  the  grass,  but 
did  not  fly,  and,  when  shot,  proved  to  be  a  Massena  Quail. 
He  says  they  occur  either  in  pairs  or  in  flocks,  and  when 
once  flushed  fly  farther  than  the  Yirginia  Quail,  but  do^not 
lie  so  close.  They  may  be  approached  within  a  few  feet, 
and  followed  up,  particularly  when  in  j)airs,  running  along 
before  one  like  so  many  domestic  fowls.  They  are  of  quiet 
as  well  as  of  retired  habits,  and  a  subdued  though  sharp 
liote  is  the  only  noise  that  Mr.  Clark  ever  heard  them  make, 
and  that  only  when  frightened.  He  has  known  them  to  be 
pursued,  and  all  the  barrels  of  a  six  shooter  fired  one  after 
another  without  alarming  them ;  and  they  were  forced  to 
fly  at  last  only  by  an  attack  of  stones  and  clubs.  He  first 
met  with  them  in  the  neighborhood  of  San  Antonio,  and 
found  them  thence  sparsely  distributed  as  an  inhabitant, 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  35 

botli  of  prairies  and  mountains  as  far  westward  as  Sonora. 
They  are  wilder  than  the  Scaled  Partridge,  are  less  con- 
spicuous and  noisy,  and  are  never  seen  in  flocks,  or,  like  the 
latter,  living  about  old  camps.  Their  haunts  are  generally 
far  removed  from  the  habitations  of  man,  and  the  indiffer- 
ence they  sometimes  manifest  to  his  presence  seems  to  be 
due  to  ignorance  of  the  danger  from  the  power  of  that 
enemy.  Though  distributed  over  the  same  country  as  the 
C.  squamata,  they  are  never  found  in  such  barren  regions, 
always  seeming  to  prefer  the  districts  most  luxuriantly  cov- 
ered with  vegetation. 

Dr.  C.  B.  R.  Kennerly  states  that  this  bird  was  never 
seen  farther  south  in  Texas  than  Turkey  Creek.  In  that 
vicinity  it  was  very  common,  and  it  also  occurred  at  vari- 
ous points  thence  to  the  Eio  Grande.  In  the  valley  of  this 
river  it  was  very  rarely  seen,  giving  way  apparently  to  the 
Scaly  and  to  Gambel's  Partridge.  West  of  the  river  it  was 
very  common,  as  far  as  the  party  travelled,  wherever  there 
was  a  permanent  supjily  of  fresh  water.  In  the  valley  of 
the  Santa  Cruz  River  and  among  the  adjacent  hills  it  was 
extremely  abundant.  In  the  months  of  June  and  July  it 
was  observed  there  always  in  pairs,  while  in  Texas,  in  the 
months  of  October  and  November,  it  w^as  found  in  very 
large  flocks,  sometimes  of  various  ages,  from  the  very  small 
and  partly  fledged  to  the  full  grown  bird.  When  hunted, 
they  hide  very  closely  in  the  grass,  and  Dr.  Kennerly  has 
often  known  the  Mexican  soldiers  in  Sonora  kill  them  with 
their  lances  by  striking  them  either  while  on  the  ground  or 
just  as  they  rise.  Some  of  these  men  were  very  expert  in 
the  business,  and  obtained  a  good  many  in  the  course  of  a 
day's  travel. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  met  with  this  species  a  few  miles  above 
the  head  of  the  Rio  San  Pedro,  where  he  secured  a  single 
specimen.  He  was  informed  by  Captain  S.  G.  French  that 
when  he  first  passed  over  exactly  the  same  route  in  1849, 
he  met  with  a  number  of  them  in  different  localities, — at  the 
head  of  San  Pedro,  Howard  Springs,  and  also  at  Eagle 
Springs, — showing  evidently  that  they  have  a  range  over 


36      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

the  country  lying  between  the  Eio  Grande  and  the  San 
Pedro  Elvers.  He  also  stated  that  he  had  never  met  with 
any  near  the  settlements,  but  always  among  the  wild,  rocky, 
and  almost  barren  hills  of  that  country.  They  are  more 
sociable  and  not  so  shy  as  the  other  species  of  this  family. 
Their  food  appears  to  be  principally  insects. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  this  bird  is  locally  known  as  the 
Black  Partridge.  For  some  time  he  sought  for  it  near  San 
Antonio  without  success,  but  ultimately  found  it,  in  No- 
vember, among  the  Bandera  Hills.  In  its  habits  he  states 
it  is  more  like  the  Texan  Quail  than  any  other;  but  on  the 
wing  it  is  easily  distinguished,  it  flies  so  heavily,  though 
very  swiftly.  When  disturbed,  they  squat  very  close,  and 
will  not  move  until  approached  veiy  closely,  when  they 
generally  rise  up  from  under  one's  feet.  He  did  not  meet 
with  this  Quail  in  any  other  part  of  Texas  than  Bandera 
country,  but  w^as  told  that  it  is  abundant  in  the  hilly  coun- 
try at  the  head  of  the  Leona,  and  that  it  is  also  found  near 
Laredo. 

In  some  remarks  on  the  birds  of  "Western  Texas,  pub- 
lished in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  in 
1851,  Colonel  McCall  gives  the  first  information  to  the  pub- 
lic touching  the  habits  of  this  interesting  species.  We 
learn  from  his  narrative  that  it  was  not  met  with  by  him 
before  crossing  the  San  Pedro  Eiver,  but  that  it  was  soon 
after  seen  in  the  rocky  regions  into  which  he  then  entered ; 
and  thence  as  far  as  the  Eio  Pecos,  a  distance  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  miles  westwardly,  it  was  frequently  seen, 
though  it  was  not  anywhere  very  common.  This  entire  re- 
gion is  a  desert  of  great  extent,  north  and  south ;  the  gen- 
eral face  of  the  country  is  level,  and  produces  nothing  but 
a  sparse  growth  of  sand  plants.  Water  was  found  only  at 
long  intei*vals,  and  except  at  such  points  there  Avas  ajipar- 
ently  neither  food  nor  cover.  There,  among  projecting 
rocks  on  the  bordei*s  of  dry  gullies,  or  in  loose  scrub,  this 
bird  was  met  with  by  Colonel  McCall. 

The  habits  of  this  species  appeared  to  him  to  be  different 
from  those  of  any  other  kind  of  Partridge  he  had  ever  met 


THE  PARTRIDGES.  37 

with.  They  were  in  coveys  of  from  eight  to  twelve  indi- 
viduals, and  appeared  to  be  simple  and  aifectionate  in  dis- 
position. In  feeding  they  separated  but  little,  keeping  up 
all  the  while  a  social  cluck.  They  were  so  gentle  as  to 
evince  little  or  no  alarm  on  the  approach  of  man,  hardly 
moving  out  of  the  way  as  they  passed,  and  only  running 
off  or  flying  a  few  yards,  even  when  half  their  number  had 
been  shot.  Colonel  McCall  was  of  the  opinion  that  they 
might,  with  very  little  diflSculty,  be  domesticated,  though 
naturally  inhabiting  a  barren  waste  nowhere  near  the  habi- 
tation of  man.  The  call-note  is  spoken  of  as  very  peculiar. 
The  bird  was  not  seen  by  his  party  after  crossing  the  Pecos 
River.  Mr.  Gould,  without  any  information  in  regard  to 
the  habits  or  economy  of  this  species,  in  his  Monograph  of 
American  Partridges,  judging  from  the  comparative  short- 
ness of  the  toes  and  the  great  development  of  the  claws, 
ventured  the  opinion  that  the  habits  would  be  found  very 
different  from  those  of  other  members  of  the  family,  which 
opinion  is  thus  confirmed.  Mr.  Cassin  thought  he  could 
trace  in  the  circular  spots,  numerous  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  body,  an  analogy  in  character  to  the  Guinea-fowls, 
which  is  further  shown  by  their  habit  of  continually  utter- 
ing their  notes  as  they  feed,  and  by  other  similarity  in  their 
manners. 

Captain  S.  G.  French,  cited  by  Mr.  Cassin,  mentions  meet- 
ing with  this  Partridge  in  the  summer  of  1846,  when  cross- 
ing the  table-lands  that  extend  westwardly  from  San 
Antonio,  in  Texas,  to  Kew  Mexico.  On  the  sides  of  a  high 
rocky  mountain  near  the  summit,  he  observed  several  of 
them  only  a  few  feet  in  advance  of  him.  They  were  run- 
ning along  over  the  fragments  of  rocks  and  through  the 
dwarf  bushes,  which  grew  wherever  there  was  sufficient 
soil.  He  was  attracted  by  their  handsome  plumage  and 
their  extreme  gentleness.  A  few  days  after,  when  encamp- 
ed on  the  head-waters  of  the  river,  he  again  met  with  a 
covey,  and  from  that  point  occasionally  encountered  them 
on  the  route  to  the  Pecos  River,  a  distance  of  over  a  hun- 
dred miles.     He  did  not  meet  with  them  again  until  he 


38      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

came  to  Eagle  Springs,  in  a  mountainous  region  about 
twenty-five  miles  from  the  Eio  Grande.  In  the  spring  of 
1851,  on  the  same  route,  he  saw  only  two  of  these  birds, 
and  was  led  to  the  'belief  that  they  are  not  at  all  numerous. 
They  appeared  to  rnhabit  the  rocky  sides  of  the  mountains 
and  hills,  in  the  desolate  region  of  elevated  plains  west  of 
the  fertile  portions  of  Texas.  In  no  instance  did  he  meet 
with  any  of  these  birds  near  the  settlements.  Wild  and 
rocky  hillsides  seemed  to  be  their  favorite  resort,  where 
trees  were  almost  unknown  and  all  vegetation  was  very 
scant.  The  coveys  showed  but  little  alarm  on  being  ap- 
proached, and  ran  along  over  the  rocks,  occasionally 
attempting  to  secrete  themselves  beneath  them.  In  this 
case  they  could  be  approached  to  within  a  few  feet.  When 
startled  by  the  firing  of  a  gun,  they  fly  but  a  few  yards 
before  again  alighting,  and  exhibit  but  little  of  that  wild- 
ness  peculiar  to  all  the  other  species  of  Partridge.  The 
contents  of  the  crop  in  Captain  French's  specimens  con- 
sisted exclusively  of  fragments  of  insects,  principally  grass- 
hoppers. ISTo  trace  whatever  of  food  of  a  vegetable  char- 
acter was  found. 

Don  Pablo  de  la  Llave,  quoted  by  Mr.  Cassin,  furnishes 
the  following  account  of  the  habits  of  this  Partridge,  ob- 
served by  him  in  specimens  taken  near  the  City  of 
Mexico. 

"It  is  only  a  few  days  since  the  third  species  has  been 
brought  to  me.  It  is  rather  smaller  than  the  former,  (C. 
squamata,)  and  its  deportment  is  entirely  difi^erent.  It  car- 
ries its  head  habitually  resting  on  its  shoulders,  the  neck 
being  excessively  small  and  deflexed,  and  in  everything  it 
shows  an  amiability,  and,  so  to  speak,  kindness  of  charac- 
ter (^una  hondad  de  caracter)^  which  is  not  found  in  any  other 
species  of  this  genus,  and  it  is  naturally  so  tame  and  do- 
mestic as  to  permit  itself  to  be  caught  with  the  hand. 
These  birds  are  always  united,  forming  a  covey,  and  when- 
ever one  is  separated  the  others  follow  it.  They  do  not, 
like  others,  wish  to  sleep  on  elevated  places,  but  sit  on  the 
ground,  drawing  very  near  together.     Their  notes,  which 


THE   PARTRIDGES.  39 

are  not  varied,  are  very  low  and  soft,  and  I  have  never  \ 

heard  loud  cries  from  the  male.    When  they  are  frightened  j 

they  show  much  activity  and  swiftness;  at  other  times  \ 

their  gait  and  movement  are  habitually  slow  and  deliber-  ! 
at§,  carrying  the  crest  puffed  up.     {Es]payadd),'" 


40      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDCxE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  GUN;  HOW  TO  CHAEGE;  SIZE  OF  SHOT. 

tHE  gun  for  shooting  Partridges,  whether  breech  or 
muzzle  loader,  must,  to  my  mind,  be  a  short  barrel 
^zp  gun,  and  No.  12,  13  or  14  guage,  and  about  eight 
^  pounds  weight.  The  length  of  barrel  must  not  be 
more  than  twenty-nine  inches.  This  size  of  guage,  and 
weight  of  gun  and  length  of  bai^rel,  day  in  and  day  out, 
under  all  circumstances,  in  the  open  field,  in  bogs,  swamps, 
woodland,  and  in  entangled  vines  and  thickets,  and  in  brush 
and  bushes,  I  have  found  in  my  experience  to  be  the  best 
and  most  desirable.  For  a  gun  of  this  description  I  would 
recommend  as  the  best  killing  charge,  in  my  opinion,  for 
shooting  Partridges,  to  be: 

For  a  12  guage,  3  drachms  of  j^owder,  flask  measure,  and 
IJ  ounces  of  shot. 

For  a  13  or  14  guage,  3  drachms  of  powder,  11  ounces 
of  shot. 

As  the  best  killing  size  of  shot  for  shooting  Partridges, 
I  would  recommend  No.  8  for  October,  No.  7  for  Novem- 
ber, No.  6  for  December  and  the  season  through. 


HOW  TO  AIM,  AND   SHOOT.  41 


HOW  TO  AIM,  AND  SHOOT. 

|0  shoot  Partridges  on  the  wing,  or  any  kind  of  game 
that  is  moving  rapidly,  it  is  not  necessary  to  close 
one  eye  to  take  aim.  Game  can  be  killed  as  well, 
and  as  quick,  if  not  quicker,  by  the  sportsman,  with 
both  eyes  wide  open.  The  quickest  shot  is  the  best ;  the 
quickest  aim  makes  the  best  shooting  with  a  shot-gun.  In 
shooting  fast-flying  birds  on  the  wing,  or  any  kind  of  game 
that  is  moving  rapidly,  aim  with  both  eyes  wide  open,  and 
follow  the  game  with  the  eyes,  keeping  them  wide  open, 
and  riveted  on  the  object  you  are  shooting  at.  Don't  wink, 
or  bat  the  eyes,  but  keep  them  firmly  fixed  with  penetrat- 
ing force  on  the  flying,  or  moving  object  of  your  aim,  and 
draw  the  trigger  of  the  gun  only  by  the  dictation  of  the 
eyes.  Under  no  other  circumstances  allow  your  finger  to 
draw  the  trigger,  except  by  the  promptings  of  the  eyes. 
The  eyes,  when  properly  fixed  upon  a  moving  object,  are 
seldom  wrong  in  their  aim,  and  if  the  finger  obeys  the 
promptings  of  the  eyes,  the  trigger  is  most  always  drawn 
correctly.  Concert  of  action  must  be  with  brain,  finger, 
arm,  and  eyes.  These  movements,  in  obeying  the  eyes, 
must  be  as  instantaneous  as  an  electric  shock.  The  con- 
cert of  action  must  be  as  quick  as  a  flash  of  lightning. 
When  the  eyes  say  fire,  brain,  finger,  and  arm  must  obey 
the  command  without  an  instant's  deliberation.  By  the 
slightest  variation  of  the  finger  in  drawing  the  trigger  at 
this  critical  moment,  the  steadiness  of  the  aim  will  be  lost — 
consequently  the  game  is  missed.  If  a  Partridge  springs, 
pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder  and  fire — down  with 
it  without  a  moment's  thought.  This  is  the  only  way  to 
become  a  keen,  quick  shot.  The  first  aim  when  a  bird  is 
flying,  is  the  most  perfect  one — don't  hesitate  a  second,  but 

6 


42      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

draw  the  trigger  and  bring  it  down.  If  a  Hare  bounces 
up  under  your  feet,  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder, 
cast  your  eyes  on  it,  draw  the  trigger  and  knock  it  over — 
don't  poke  about  it.  The  sportsman  who  can  shoot  his 
game  the  quickest  is  the  best  shot.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
see  a  bird  to  kill  it,  at  the  time  of  fire.  Birds  are  killed  by 
calculation,  and  in  fact  in  covert  shooting,  three  out  of  four 
birds  are  killed  without  even  being  seen.  When  a  Partridge 
springs  in  a  thicket  which  has  grown  up  dense,  and  the  small 
.trees  and  bushes  are  full  of  leaves,  it  will  be  out  of  sight  in 
an  instant,  and  will  escape,  unless  you  knock  it  down  by 
•gtiessing,  or  calculation,  shooting  in  the  direction  it  is  going, 
gihd  that  must  be  done  in  a  moment,  for  you  have  no  time 
to;  reflect,  but  must  be  as  quick  as  a  flash  in  judging  the 
•flight  of  the  bird;  and  the  distance  it  is  off.  You  must  also 
.know  by  practice  the  exact  location  where  to  shoot  to  kill 
.itj  if  the  least  moment  of  time  is  lost  in  following  the 
course  it  has  taken,  or  a  moment  of  reflection  given  in 
Ijudging  its  exact  location,  the  bird  will  not  be  killed,  but 
'\i^ill  go  on,  and  in  one  second  will  be  out  of  killing  range 
.ocf  the  shot.  To  be  a  keen,  quick,  accurate  shot,  you  must 
.have  quick  movements,  and  good  judgment  in  all  your  ac- 
tions. You  should  be  able  to  handle  and  level  the  gun  as 
qlaickly  and  readily  as  thought.  You  must  be  able  to  pitch 
I  the  gun  to  your  shoulder  and  point  the  muzzle  accurately 
.in  an  instant.  You  must  be  able  to  aim  in  every  direction 
.with  ease,  and  must  follow  all  kinds  of  moving  objects* 
whether  flying  or  running,  as  accurately  and  unerringly  as 
.a: bloodhound  follows  his  prey.  You  must  acquire  quick- 
,11)688  in  shooting  fast-flying  birds,  and  if  your  movements 
.are  naturally  slow,  you  can  never  become  a  keen,  quick 
ishot.  Quickness  and  good  judgment  are  the  landmarks 
to  observe  in  shooting  fast-flying  game.  In  taking  aim 
.draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  if  it  is  only  where  you  expect  a 
ibird  to  appear,  or  about  where  one  has  disappeared.  Birds 
'Often  fly  when  in  thick  undergrowth  very  singularly — 
-some  frequently  twist  and  dart,  others  fly  off'  in  a  direct 
line  behind  bushes  and  trees,  and  it  requires  quick  move- 


AND    SHOOT.  4^ 

ments  and  good  shooting  to  bring  them  down.  These  at6 
difficulties  that  good  judgment  alone  will  overcome.  A'i 
some  seasons  of  the  year  most  shooting  is  done  in  wood 
and  thicket — in  thick  cover  through  which  you  can  scarcely 
force  your  way.  This  kind  of  shooting  requires  considei*- 
able  practice.  One  half  the  time  you  are  not  able  to  Bei^ 
your  game,  and  you  cannot  judge  correctly  their  positioft 
and  distance,  but  you  must  learn  to  guess  at  it  from  all 'the 
circumstances.  To  kill  birds  under  these  circumstances  It 
requires  a  quick  eye,  a  clear  mind,  and  a  ready  hand.  Tl^e 
sportsman  will  have  to  serve  an  apprenticeship  at  the  btlBi'- 
ness  before  he  can  attain  the  art.  Shooting  birds  in  d^e'i'i 
fields  on  the  wing,  is  entirely  different  from  shooting  bli'^jk 
in  thick  cover,  such  as  you  find  in  the  mountains  and  MYi^, 
swamps,  densely  grown-up  clearings  and  tliickets.  In  Op^n 
ground  you  can  see  the  birds,  you  can  judge  with  WMt 
velocity  they  are  flying,  you  have  no  bushes,  trees,  ot*'c)fci- 
structions  to  interfere  with  you  in  taking  aim.  You  'ttili 
have  more  time  to  judge  the  distance  they  are  off  at' the 
time  of  drawing  the  trigger.  You  will  therefore  pereeiv'e 
that  shooting  birds  out  in  the  open  on  the  wing  will  ad^ttd't 
of  taking  more  deliberate  aim  than  shooting  under  ihi^k 
cover,  because  you  have  more  time  for  deliberation.  YOti 
can  close  one  eye  in  taking  aim  with  ease  and  shoot  i^6f-y 
accurately  when  a  bird  rises  in  open  fields,  flying  in  ceilJkiii 
directions.  But  when  shooting  in  woods,  bushes,  ktiii 
thickets,  or  difficult  places,  you  have  no  time  to  lose  iii  ^^- 
ting  aim,  and  the  only  plan  to  pursue  to  be  successful; 'is^.tb 
shoot  with  both  eyes  wnde  open.  After  years  of  e^t^iei^i- 
eni'e  in  the  field  and  in  shooting  all  kinds  of  fast-flyitti^, 
and  running  game,  I  offer  you  my  method  of  shooting^aiid 
aimino-  where  trame  is  found  in  different  locations  anduii- 
der  certain  circumstances.  When  a  bird  springs  in  a  tMbktlt 
and  flies  straight  off  through  bushes  and  hanging  braiiiCh*^^, 
l>itch  your  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  cast  both  ei^es'c|n 
the  bird,  draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  without  an  institiit's 
deliberation.  When  a  bird  springs  in  thict  cover  and'flics 
to  the  right  or  left  behind  bushes,  pitch  the  gun  quickfy'to 


44    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

your  sjioulder,  cast  both  eyes  upon  it,  or  the  direction  it 
has  taken,  or  where  it  is  likely  to  appear,  or  close  to  where 
it  disappeared,  draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  and  keep  the 
gun  moving  for  an  instant  after  the  trigger  is  drawn. 
When  a  bird  springs  close  under  your  feet  out  in  the  open 
fields  and  goes  oif  slowly,  offering  a  fair  shot,  pitch  the 
gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  catch  aim  on  the  bird  by 
looking  down  the  barrel  of  the  gun  with  one  eye  closed, 
and  when  your  eye  informs  you  that  your  aim  is  correct, 
draw  the  trigger  and  bring  it  down.  "When  a  Hare  boun- 
ces up  in  open  field,  where  you  have  a  clear,  open  shot,  and 
it  gets  up  close  under  your  feet  and  runs  straight  oif,  pitch 
the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  catch  aim  on  the  Hare 
by  looking  down  the  barrel  with  one  eye  closed,  and  when 
it  is  at  the  proper  distance,  draw  the  trigger  and  knock  it 
over.  But  when  a  Hare  bounces  up  in  open  field  and  darts 
for  cover  w^hich  is  but  a  short  distance  ofi",  pitch  the  gun 
quickly  to  your  shoulder,  cast  both  eyes  upon  the  Hare, 
and  draw  the  trigger  without  an  instant's  deliberation. 
When  a  bird  springs  in  open  field,  and  flies  to  the  right  or 
left,  or  rises  some  distance  oif  and  makes  for  the  woods,  or 
thicket,  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  cast  both 
eyes  upon  it,  and  draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  and  keep  the 
gun  moving  for  an  instant  after  the  trigger  is  drawn.  But 
when  a  bird  springs  close  to  your  feet  in  a  thicket,  or  clear- 
ing, and  flies  out  in  open  ground  or  fields  and  goes  straight 
oif,  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  jour  shoulder,  catch  aim  on  it 
by  looking  down  the  barrel  of  the  gun  with  one  eye  clos- 
ed, and  when  your  eye  says  it  is  at  the  proper  distance  to 
be  killed,  calmly  draw  the  trigger  and  fire.  When  a  bird 
springs  far  in  advance,  and  comes  directly  towards  you  fly- 
ing over  head,  and  in  full  flight,  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to 
your  shoulder,  cast  both  e^^es  upon  it,  draw  the  trigger  and 
fire  in  an  instant,  and  before  it  gets  directly  over  head. 
But  if  it  is  driven  by  a  north-wester,  and  comes  directly  over 
head,  turn  and  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  catch 
aim  on  it  by  looking  up  the  barrel  of  the  gun  with  one  eye 
closed,  draw  the  trigger  and  fire.    Where  game  is  found  in 


HOW  TO   AIM,  AND  SHOOT.  45 

different  locations  and  in  difficult  positions,  where,  it  re- 
quires keen,  quick  shooting  to  bag  it,  my  method  is  to  aim 
and  shoot  with  both  eyes  wide  open.  But  wherever  an 
open,  flying,  or  running  shot  offers,  to  aim  and  shoot  with 
one  eye  closed. 


46      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


EA]!^GE  OF  THE  GVls. 

[JmANGE  of  the  gun  is  the  distance  the  shot  travels 
III  from  the  month  of  the  gun,  through  the  air,  to  where 
they  fall  to  the  ground;  and  you  must  be  able  to 
judge  with  your  eye  the  best  killing  distance  at 
which  to  fire,  Eange  is  a  rock  over  which  many  sports- 
men lose  their  brilliancy;  because  they  cannot  correctly 
judge  distances.  I  have  often  seen  sportsmen  shoot  at 
Partridges  flying  too  far  off,  and  away  out  of  killing  range 
of  the  gun,  thinking  the  birds  were  in  killing  range,  and  I 
have  seen  others  neglect  to  fire  upon  Partridges  flying  a 
short  distance  ofl"  in  killing  range;  because  they  would 
fancy  the  birds  were  out  of  range  of  the  gun.  To  become 
a  good  shot,  you  must  learn  to  be  an  accurate  judge  of  dis- 
tances, when  in  the  field,  and  you  must  know  by  a  flash 
of  your  eye  the  proper  distance  at  which  to  fire  upon  a 
bird  to  bring  it  down.  To  be  successful  in  your  shooting 
you  should  be  able  to  measure  at  a  glance,  with  your  eye, 
thirty,  forty,  or  fifty  yards  distance  with  ease  and  cer- 
tainty. Unless  you  learn  to  judge  distances  accurately 
when  in  the  field,  you  will  never  become  certain  of  stop- 
ping your  birds,  but  will  often  find  yourself  shooting  at 
birds  too  close,  or  far  out  of  reach  or  killing  range  of  the 
gun.  It  is  more  difficult  to  guess  distances  correctly  in 
large  open  fields,  than  it  is  in  small  fields  or  wood.  On 
rolling  land,  and  on  hills  in  mountainous  districts,  you  are 
liable  to  make  mistakes  in  calculating  distances ;  especially 
if  you  have  been  in  the  habit  of  shooting  in  open  fields,  or 
on  level  ground.  To  remedy  these  mistakes  when  in  the 
field,  practice  measuring  distances  with  your  eye.  Mea- 
sure off*  first  thirty  yards,  then  forty,  and  so  continue  on 


RANGE  OF  THE  GUN.                                            47  ; 

up  to  one  hundred  yards,  and  by  practicing  measuring  '\ 

these  distances  with  your  eye,  you  will  be  able  in  a  short  j 

time  to  judge 'the  distance  of  thirty  up  to  one  hundred  ; 

yards  with  ease,  certainty,  and  with  skill.  j 


48      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  KILLING  EANGES  OF  THE  GVl^. 

|WffiHE  killing  ranges  of  the  gun,  are  short  range,  ordi- 
g|E|  nary  range,  and  long  range.  Short  range  is  that 
*"  "  distance  at  which  you  fire  upon  Partridges  flying 
with  certainty,  without  making  any  allowance  in 
the  aim  for  the  shot  to  fall,  or  for  the  shot  to  be  drifted 
from  the  aim  by  wind.  All  Partridges  you  fire  at  with 
certainty,  at  any  distance  from  the  spot  where  you  stand 
up  to  twenty-five  or  thirty  yards,  are  short  range.  Ordi- 
nary range  of  the  gun  is  that  distance  which  is  something 
farther  than  short  range,  but  not  quite  the  distance  of  long 
range.  It  is  that  distance  at  which  a  Partridge  flying  is 
likely  to  be  killed,  by  taking  good  aim,  and  covering  the 
bird  carefully.  It  may  be  said  to  be  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty,  up  to  the  distance  of  forty-five  yards.  All  shots 
you  fire  beyond  the  distance  of  forty-five  yards  cannot  be 
relied  upon  for  ordinary  range.  Long  range  is  one  of  the 
killing  ranges  of  the  gun.  It  is  that  distance  at  which  you 
fire  upon  Partridges  flying,  where  the  result  would  be 
doubtful  and  uncertain  about  your  killing  them,  even 
though  the  aim  may  be  ever  so  accurate.  All  distances  you 
fire  beyond  forty-five  yards,  are  long  range.  Whenever  a 
Partridge  is  flying  at  such  a  distance  oif,  that  you  are 
doubtful  and  uncertain  about  killing  it,  and  it  is  over  forty- 
five  yards  distant,  it  is  at  long  range,  but  not  out  of  killing 
range  of  the  gun.  Partridges  flying  may  be  killed  at  fifty, 
sixty,  and  up  as  high  as  one  hundred  yards  distance, 
with  most  any  ordinary  gun,  if  the  gun  is  charged  prop- 
erly, and  you  have  a  fair  open  shot.  But  all  such  distan- 
ces are  doubtful  and  uncertain.  Where  one  Partridge  fly- 
ing is  killed  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  yards,  there 
are  twenty  missed.     All  such  distances  are  long  range ;  be- 


THE  KILLING  RANGES  OF  THE  GUN.  49 

cause  it  is  doubtful,  and  uncertain,  about  killing  the  bird 
fired  at,  even  though  the  aim  may  be  ever  so  perfect. 
Twenty-five  to  thirty  yards,  is  the  utmost  limit  of  distance 
of  certainty.  No  gun,  muzzle  or  breech  loader,  will  throw 
shot  close  enough  every  time  it  is  fired,  to  make  sure  of 
killing  Partridges  every  time  outside  of  these  distances, 
I  care  not  by  whom,  or  how  the  gun  is  charged,  nor  do  I 
care  how  the  gun  is  sighted,  or  by  whom.  From  the  dis- 
tance of  thirty  yards  up  to  forty-five  the  chances  are  one 
out  of  two  against  killing  every  Partridge  at  which  you 
fire.  From  the  distance  of  forty-five  yards  up  to  eighty, 
the  chances  are  three  out  of  four,  against  killing  every 
Partridge  which  you  fire  upon.  A  Partridge  flying  straight 
off  presents  a  very  small  mark  to  hit,  not  more  than  one 
inch  square,  and  this  space  is  nearly  all  bone,  and  one 
small  pellet  of  shot  lodged  in  a  Partridge's  back  is  not 
always  sufficient  to  bring  it  down.  Sportsmen  who  fire 
long  shots  at  Partridges  should  remember  this.. 


50      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


STEAIGHT  FOEWARD  SHOTS. 

(jj^TRAIGHT  forward  shots  are  very  uncertain  shots 
g|  to  fire,  and  they  are  the  easiest  of  all  flying  shots  to 
catch  aim  upon.  A  bad  marksman- will  be  more  apt 
to  kill  upon  a  straight  forward  shot,  than  any  other 
flying  shot.  When  a  Partridge  rises  and  goes  straight 
off,  if  it  is  within  twenty-five  or  thirty  yards,  aim  directly 
at  the  bird.  If  within  twenty-five  or  thirty  yards  up  to 
forty-five,  aim  to  just  cover  the  bird.  From  the  distance 
of  forty-five  yards  up  to  sixty,  seventy,  or  eighty,  aim  two 
or  three  inches  above  the  bird.  A  Partridge  flying  straight 
off  is  a  very  uncertain  shot  to  kill — ^you  have  nothing  but 
its  rump  to  shoot  at,  and  there  are  three  chances  out  of 
four,  that  unless  you  hit  it  with  two  pellets  of  shot,  it  will 
not  be  brought  down,  and  the  chances  are,  that  the  shot 
will  pass  around  it,  and  it  will  escape  being  hit.  Straight 
forward  shots  are  uncertain  for  the  sportsman — they  are 
not  likely  to  hit,  no  matter  how  perfect  the  aim  may  be, 
and  if  they  do  hit,  are  not  apt  to  kill,  as  the  vital  parts  of 
the  bird  are  more  or  less  protected  by  the  rump  bone,  and 
the  bird  is  likely  to  get  off  with  a  wound,  or  the  loss  of 
a  few  feathers.  I  have  killed  Partridges  flying  straight 
off  at  fifty,  sixty,  and  as  high  as  one  hundred  yards  dis- 
tance, but  they  were  all  chance  shots — where  you  would 
kill  one  Partridge  flying  straight  off  at  one  hundred  yards, 
you  would  miss  twenty.  A  Partridge  is  a  small  object 
when  it  is  divested  of  its  feathers,  and  when  it  is  flying 
straight  off  it  presents  a  very  narrow  and  small  mark  to 
shoot  at.  Sportsmen  when  they  shoot  straight  shots  at 
long  distances,  should  bear  this  in  mind.  Twenty-five  or 
thirty  yards  is  the  very  outside  limit  of  distance  of  cer- 
tainty to  fire  upon  Partridges  flying  straight  off.     Beyond 


STRAIGHT  FORWARD  SHOTS.  51 

these  distances,  notwithstanding  the  aim  may  be  all  right, 
the  scattering  of  the  shot  makes  it  very  uncertain  as  to 
killing  them.  To  prove  this  statement  let  the  s^DOrtsman 
place  a  target  off  thirty  yards  distant,  and  fire  at  it,  and 
he  will  be  surprised  to  see  how  widely  scattered  the  shot 
strikes  at  that  distance.  Then  let  him  take  into  consider- 
ation that  so  small  a  space  as  one  inch  square  would  be 
sufficient  to  let  a  Partridge  through  flying  straight  off, 
and  he  would  readily  be  convinced  how  easily  a  Partridge 
could  escape  being  hit  "beyond  this  distance.  As  I  have 
already  stated  a  Partridge  flying  straight  off  presents  a 
small  mark  to  hit.  It  is  not  so  when  it  is  flying  around, 
or  across  to  the  right,  or  the  left — ^you  have  a  larger  mark 
to  shoot  at,  and  the  bird  exposes  all  its  vital  parts  to  the 
fire,  and  one  pellet  of  shot  will  be  sufficient  to  bring  it 
down,  because  the  shot  hits  a  vital  part.  But  when  a  Par- 
tridge flies  straight  off  all  its  vital  parts  are  protected,  and 
if  you  hit  it  with  one  pellet  of  shot,  it  is  in  the  rump,  and 
that  would  not  always  be  sufficient  to  bring  it  down,  and 
the  only  chance  that  is  left  is  to  break  its  wing.  If  the 
shot  fails  to  do  this,  the  bird  goes  on  wounded^  or  perhaps 
escapes  through  the  shot  without  one  happening  to  hit. 
When  in  the  field  always  choose  a  Partridge  that  is  flying 
to  the  left  to  fire  upon  in  preference  to  one  that  is  flying- 
straight  off.  The  chances  are  two  to  one  in  your  favor  of 
killing  the  bird  flying  to  your  left,  A  Partridge  flying 
straight  off  is  a  beautiful  and  easy  mark  to  get  aim  at,  and 
this  is  the  reason  that  youug  beginners,  and  bad  marks- 
men, are  more  successful  in  shooting  Partridges  flying 
straight  off  than  in  any  other  direction,  because  they  al- 
ways shoot  in  a  hurry — being  excited,  they  fire  upon  the 
bird  very  close,  at  short  range,  so  that  the  shot  are  not 
scattered,  and  if  the  gun  happens  to  be  pointed  correctly, 
the  bird  is  generally  killed.  But  it  is  not  so  with  cross 
shots — there  must  be  a  combination  of  movements  to  be 
successful  in  catching  aim,  which  requires  judgment,  prac- 
tice, and  ex])eriencc  of  years,  in  perfecting  the  eye,  and  in 
handling  the  gun. 


52    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


CEOSS  SHOTS. 

JEOSS  Shots  are  lines  of  flight  taken  by  birds  across 
the  sportsman,  and  may  include  oblique,  curved, 
and  the  different  angular  flights.  They  inay  include 
all  angles  of  flight  a  Partridge  takes  in  flying  across 
the  sportsman,  whether  acute  or  obtuse.  Cross  Shots  are 
more  fatal  if  they  hit  than  straight  forward  shots,  as  all 
the  vital  parts  of  the  bird^  when  crossing  are  exposed  to 
the  fire.  Xever  refuse  to  fire  cross  shots,  as  they  most 
easily  kill  of  all  flying  shots  if  they  hit.  The  shot  strikes 
harder  and  stronger  a  crossing  bird,  than  one  flying  in  the 
same  direction  as  the  shot.  A  Partridge  flying  around  to 
the  left  is  the  best  shot  to  fire  at,  and  it  is  the  easiest  of 
all  fl^^ing  shots  to  kill ;  because  the  whole  vital  parts  of 
the  bird  are  exposed  to  the  fire,  and  if  one  pellet  of  shot 
hits  with  force,  the  bird  will  be  brought  down  and  killed ; 
and  the  gun  being  balanced  in  the  left  hand  by  stepping 
forward  with  the  right  foot,  the  body  can  be  turned  with 
ease  to  the  left  side,  to  aim  and  follow  the  bird  in  its  flight. 
It  is  not  so  with  a  bird  flying  to  the  right,  or  over  head — it 
is  more  difiicult  to  turn  the  body  to  aim,  as  the  gun  cannot 
be  carried  to  the  right  side,  or  over  head  as  readily  as  to 
the  left  side.  Therefore,  when  in  the  field  take  every  op- 
portunity to  avail  yourself  of  all  the  cross,  or  side  shots 
you  can  get  at  Partridges  flying  around  to  the  left.  When 
a  Partridge  rises  to  the  right  or  left  of  you,  within  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  yards  distance,  aim  directly  at  the  bird's 
body  and  fire.  If  within  thirty  3'ards  up  to  forty-five,  aim 
to  just  cover  the  bird.  From  forty-five  yards  up  to  eighty 
aim  two  or  three  inches  higher  than  the  bird's  body,  or  in 
other  words,  aim  just  a  little  above  the  bird.  It  is  not  ne- 
cessary to  aim  in  the  advance  of  a  Partridge,  flying  around 


CROSS   SHOTS.  53 

or  across,  no  matter  how  fast  it  is  flying,  unless  the  wind 
is  blowing  a  gale,  and  you  are  shooting  across  the  wind — 
then  the  aim  should  be  a  little  in  the  advance,  as  the  case 
may  be,  especially  at  long  range.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
make  any  allowance  for  the  motion  of  the  bird's  flight,  as 
the  shot  travels  from  the  mouth  of  the  gun,  up  to  the  ilis- 
tance  of  thirty,  to  eighty  yards  almost  instantaneously, 
and  it  would  not  be  worth  while  to  calculate  about  the  mo- 
tion of  the  bird's  flight,  because  the  shot  scatters  at  this  dis- 
tance very  widely,  and  would  compass  four  or  five  feet,  and 
one  or  two  inches  aim  in  front  or  behind  the  bird  would  not 
alter  the  case  a  particle.  The  secret  in  shooting  cross  shots 
lies  in  not  arresting  the  impetus  of  the  gun  at  the  time  of 
pulling  the  trigger.  If  the  impetus  of  the  gun  is  stopped, 
the  bird  will  invariably  be  missed  by  the  shot  striking  in 
the  bird's  rear.  If  a  Partridge  rises  and  flies  to  the  right, 
step  back  with  your  right  foot,  and  aim  at  its  body  and 
fire,  and  keep  the  gun  moving  in  the  line  of  flight  of  the 
bird  for  an  instant  after  the  trigger  is  drawn.  If  a  Par- 
tridge rises  and  flies  to  the  left,  step  with  your  right  foot 
forward,  aim  at  the  bird's  body  and  fire,  and  be  sure  not 
to  aiTest  the  impetus  of  the  gun  at  the  time  of  drawing  the 
trigger.  There  is  no  necessity  for  aiming  in  the  advance 
of  a  bird  flying  around,  or  across  to  be  successful,  as  some 
writers  allege.  The  secret  of  cross  shooting,  or  killing  a 
bird  flying  across,  lies  not  in  aiming  in  front  of  the  bird, 
nor  does  it  lie  in  aiming  behind  the  bird,  but  in  aiming  right 
at  the  bird,  and  in  catching  perfect  aim  on  the  bird,  and  in 
holding  on  to  the  aim,  and  in  not  losing  it,  and  by  not  ar- 
resting the  impetus  of  the  gun  at  the  time  of  drawing  the 
trigger. 


54      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


DESCEKBmG  SHOTS. 

IeSCENDING  Shots  are  courses  of  flight  taken  by 
Partridges  flying  downward  from  the  sportsman, 
and  may  include  all  directions  of  flight  a  Partridge 
flying  takes  descending.  Partridges  when  flushed 
on  a  hill,  instead  of  flying  straight  off,  more  usually 
dart  down  along  the  side  of  the  hill  in  a  downward  direc- 
tion, and  unless  the  sportsman  takes  good  care  he  will 
find  himself  invariably  missing  these  birds — even  the  fairest 
shots — by  shooting  too  high,  because  a  Partridge  flying 
down  hill  is  all  the  while  lowering,  and  if  the  aim  is  directly 
at  the  bird,  and  the  impetus  of  the  gun  is  stopped  at  the 
time  of  drawing  the  trigger,  the  bird  will  undoubtedly  be 
missed,  as  the  shot  will  pass  over  the  bird,  being  driven 
too  high.  To  be  successful  in  shooting  descending  shots,  or 
Partridges  flying  down  hill,  or  sinking  or  lowering,  apply 
the  same  rules  as  I  have  given  for  cross  shooting.  If  within 
twenty-five  or  thirty  yards,  aim  directly  at  the  bird,  and 
fire,  and  so  on,  and  always  remember  to  keep  the  gun 
moving  in  the  line  of  flight  of  the  bird,  for  an  instant  after 
the  trigger  is  drawn.  Descending  shots  are  like  cross 
shots — nine  times  out  of  ten,  it  is  by  arresting  the  motion 
of  the  gun  in  the  line  of  flight  of  the  bird,  at  the  time  of 
drawing  the  trigger,  that  causes  you  to  miss  your  mark. 
Sometimes  Partridges  fly  straight  off,  and  all  of  a  sudden 
will  ascend  in  flight  over  a  fence,  or  a  clump  of  bushes,  or 
the  like,  and  immediately  on  clearing  the  fence,  bushes,  or 
the  like,  will  descend  again.  These  minute  matters,  though 
seeming  of  little  importance,  should  never  be  lost  sight  of, 
and  it  is  well  not  to  allow  yourself  to  be  thrown  off  of  your 
guard.  It  is  by  these  minute  considerations,  an  observant 
sportsman  and  good  shot  surpasses  in  excellence  in  shoot- 


DESCENDING  SHOTS.  55 

ing,  his  companions,  and  fills  his  game  bag.  The  secret 
of  shooting  descending  shots,  or  a  bird  flying  down  hill,  or 
sinking  or  lowering,  lies  not  in  aiming  below  the  bird  as 
some  sportsmen  affirm,  nor  does  it  lie  in  aiming  above  nor 
in  front,  nor  behind  the  bird,  but  in  aiming  right  at  the 
bird,  and  in  catching  aim  on  the  bird,  and  in  not  losing 
it ;  and  by  not  stopping  the  motion  of  the  gun  at  the  time 
of  drawing  the  trigger. 


56      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


OVEE  HEAD  SHOTS. 

iVEE  head  shots  are  among  the  most  difficult  of  all 
shots  by  which  Partridges  are  killed  on  the  wing^ 
and  most  sportsmen  who  are  good  shots  in  every 
other  particular,  and  can  kill  Partridges  flying  in  all 
otter  directions,  when  they  come  to  fire  upon  Partridges 
flying  over  head,  invariably  miss  them.  The  fault  lies  in 
shooting  directly  over  head,  or  too  quickly  when  the  bird  is 
advancing,  and  not  quick  enough  when  the  bird  has  passed 
over  head.  By  handling  yourself  and  gun  quickly  and  swift- 
ly, there  is  plenty  of  time  to  catch  aim  on  the  bird  when 
the  bird  is  advancing  towards  you,  and  before  it  gets  over 
your  head,  and  this  is  your  best  chance  to  fire  upon  it,  to 
kill  it,  and  this  is  the  time  to  bring  it  down.  But  if  the 
bird  is  close  on  you,  and  flying  very  rapidly,  and  coming 
with  the  wind  with  great  velocity  advancing  directly  over 
your  head,  and  would  not  admit  of  your  catching  aim  on 
it,  withhold  your  fire,  and  let  the  bird  pass  over  your  head, 
then  turn  quickly  and  take  a  fair  shot  at  it  going  oft\  But 
when  a  Partridge  is  advancing,  and  will  admit  of  your 
taking  aim  at  it  before  it  gets  over  your  head,  lose  no  time 
nor  opportunity,  but  draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  and  if  you 
miss  it  you  will  have  a  chance  to  bring  it  down  with  the 
second  barrel,  after  it  has  passed  over  head,  by  turning 
and  taking  a  fair  shot  at  it  flying  off".  Some  sportsmen 
seldom  shoot  at  Partridges  advancing  towards  them,  they 
are  under  the  impression  that  if  the  shot  hits  a  bird  when 
it  is  approaching,  the  shot  will  glide  off  of  the  feathers 
without  penetrating  through  the  skin.  This  is  altogether 
a  mistaken  idea.  I  have  killed  hundreds  of  Partridges 
flying,  coming  directly  towards  me,  and  when  the  gun 
would  crack  the  shot  would  knock  the  life  right  out  of 


OVER  HEAD  SHOTS.  57 

them,  and  they  would  fall  dead  as  a  rock,  and  often  I  have 
shot  them  coming  under  full  headway,  right  on  me,  and 
when  the  gun  would  crack,  they  being  so  close  the  shot 
would  fairly  riddle  them,  and  I  have  often  killed  them  fly- 
ing down  hill,  coming  directly  at  me,  and  flying  so  swiftly, 
being  frightened,  that  when  the  shot  would  hit  them,  they 
would  be  coming  with  such  velocity,  that  they  would 
fall  ten  feet  behind  me,  and  on  several  occasions  I  have 
caught  them  when  they  were  falling,  with  my  hand,  and 
have  had  them  to  fall  dead  at  my  feet.  And  I  have  even 
had  birds  that  were  wing-tipped,  when  falling,  to  pitch 
and  hit  me.  I  have  killed  Partridges  flying  in  every  con- 
ceivable direction,  advancing  towards  me,  or  passing  over 
my  head ;  and  I  have  always  found,  that  when  the  gun 
was  pointed  right,  and  the  aim  correct,  and  the  bird  in 
killing  range  of  certainty,  it  was  brought  down  and  killed. 
It  made  no  difference  in  which  direction  the  bird  was  fly- 
ing, whether  it  was  advancing  towards  me,  or  going  away 
from  me.  When  a  Partridge  has  passed  over  head,  flying 
in  full  flight,  be  quick  in  your  movements,  turn  your  body 
and  catch  aim  on  the  bird  in  an  instant,  draw  the  trigger 
and  fire.  The  aim  should  be  quick,  and  very  accurate,  be- 
cause the  bird  is  in  full  flight  going  at  the  top  of  its  speed, 
and  flying  very  swiftly,  and  unless  you  catch  aim  on  it,  in 
an  instant,  and  shoot  quickly,  it  will  get  out  of  killing  dis- 
tance of  certainty  of  the  gun,  and  unless  the  aim  is  perfect 
the  bird  will  be  missed,  because  it  is  flying  at  an  acute  an- 
gle with  the  shot.  To  be  successful  in  shooting  Partridges 
flying  over  head,  all  you  have  got  to  do,  is  to  aim  directly 
at  the  bird,  and  keep  up  the  motion  of  the  gun  with  the 
flight  of  the  bird,  and  always  remember  to  shoot  the  first 
barrel  when  the  bird  is  advancing  towards  you,  and  before 
it  gets  over  your  head,  so  if  you  should  happen  to  miss 
your  mark,  you  will  have  another  chance  at  the  bird  with 
the  second  barrel,  by  turning  and  taking  a  fair  shot  at  it 
flying  oft\  Unless  strict  attention  is  paid  to  these  rules, 
you  will  miss  the  fairest  marks  offered  by  Partridges  flying 
over  head. 


58      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


PAETEIDGE;  QUAIL;  BOB-WHITE. 

Ortyx,  Virginianus.     Var.  Virginianus. — Bonap. 

P.  CHAE. — Forehead,  and  line  through  the  eye  and 
along  the  side  of  the  neck,  with  chin  and  throat, 
white.  A  band  of  black  across  the  vertex,  and  ex- 
tending backwards  on  the  sides,  within  the  white, 
and  another  from  the  maxilla  beneath  the  eye,  and-  cross- 
ing on  the  lower  part  of  the  throat.  The  under  parts  are 
white,  tinged  with  brown  anteriorly;  each  feather  with 
several  narrow,  obtusely  Y-shaped  bands  of  black.  The 
forepart  of  back,  the  side  of  the  breast,  and  in  front  just 
below  the  black  collar,  of  a  dull  pinkish-red.  The  sides  of 
body  and  wing-coverts  brownish-red;  the  latter  almost 
uniform,  without  indication  of  mottling.  Scapulars  and 
upper  tertials  coarsely  blotched  with  black,  and  edged  in- 
ternally with  brownish  yellow,  toj)  of  head  reddish ;  the 
lower  part  of  neck,  except  anteriorly,  streaked  with  white 
and  black.  Primary  quills  unspotted  brown,  tail  ash. 
Female  with  the  white  markings  of  the  head  replaced  by 
brownish-yellow ;  the  black  ones  with  brownish. 

Young. — Head  ashy,  with  a  narrow  post-ocular  white 
stripe,  and  the  crown  spotted  with  black;  throat  whitish. 
Beneath  pale  dingy  ash,  with  wkitish  shaft  streaks,  and 
without  black  bars  or  other  markings.  Above  reddish  or 
olivaceous  drab,  the  feathers  with  whitish  shaft-streaks, 
and  a  large  black  spot,  mostly  on  upper  web. 

Chick. — Head  dingy-buff ;  an  auricular  dusky  elongated 
spot,  and  a  vertical  patch  of  chestnut-rufous,  widening  on 
the  occiput.     Length,  10.00  ;  wing,  4.70  ;  tail,  2.85. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  High  Central  Plain, 
Devil's  Eiver,  Texas. — Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgivay. 


partkidue;  qiau. ;  bob-white. 


HABITS.  59 


HABITS. 


jHIS  beautiful  game  bird  is  well  known  by  all  sports- 
men, and  by  most  persons  of  our  country.  For  in 
summer  the  loud,  clear,  distinctive  whistle  of  Boh- 
White,  is  as  well-known,  and  familiar  an  utterance 
as  proceeds  from  the  fields.  The  geographical  description 
of  this  bird's  habits,  is  as  described  in  the  "North  Ameri- 
can Birds,  Baird,  Brewer  and  Kidgway."  They  state,  this 
species,  known  in  New  England  and  in  certain  other  parts 
of  the  country  as  the  Quail,  and  in  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States  as  the  Partridge, — either  of  which  names  belonging 
to  other  and  quite  different  birds,  is  inappropriate, — is  found 
throughout  the  Eastern  portion  of  North  America  from 
Florida  to  Maine,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  Texas  on  the 
South  and  to  the  Central  Plains.  Partially  successful  at- 
tempts have  been  made  to  introduce  it  in  Utah,  and  its 
area  promises  to  extend  much  farther  than  its  original 
limits.  This  species  has  also  been  acclimated  in  Jamaica, 
and  now  abounds  in  all  parts  of  that  island.  There  they 
are  said  by  Mr.  March  to  make  no  nest,  but  to  lay  on  the 
ground,  in  tufts  of  grass,  roots,  or  under  clumps  of  bushes 
usually  from  twelve  to  twenty  eggs.  These  are  smaller 
than  with  us.  This  species  has  also  been  introduced  into 
the  island  of  St.  Croix,  and  is  now  very  common  in  almost 
every  part  of  it,  being  especially  abundant  in  the  grass 
lands  of  the  Southwestern  part.  This  bird  is  probably 
found  in  all  the  New  England  States,  though  its  presence 
in  Maine  is  not  certain ;  and,  if  found  there  at  all,  is  only 
met  with  in  the  extreme  Southwestern  part.  It  is  also 
rare  in  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  and  only  found  in 
the  Southern  portions.  It  is  not  given  by  Mr.  Boardman, 
nor  by  Professor  Yerrill.     Farther  West  it  has  a  more 


60    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

Northern  distribution,  being  found  in  Northern  New  York 
and  in  Southern  Canada.  Mr.  Mcllwraith  gives  it  as  resi- 
dent in  the  neighborhood  of  Hamilton.  In  many  parts  of 
Massachusetts  the  Quail  has  become  a  very  rare  bird,  owing 
to  the  ravages  caused  by  sportsmen  and  the  severity  of 
winters,  heavy  falls  of  snow  being  frequently  particularly 
fatal  to  them.  In  heavy  falls  of  snow  they  frequently  hud- 
dle together  on  the  ground,  and  allow  themselves  to  be 
buried  in  the  drifts.  If  the  snow  is  light,  they  can  easily 
extricate  themselves  and  run  over  its  surface  in  quest  of 
berries,  and  the  seeds  of  shrubs ;  but  if  the  fall  be  followed 
by  a  partial  thaw,  and  a  crust  forms,  the  birds  are  made 
prisoners  within  its  impenetrable  cover,  and  miserably 
perish  of  hunger.  In  the  severe  winters  of  1866  and  1867, 
large  numbers  of  Quail  thus  perished  throughout  all  parts 
of  Massachusetts.  "When  the  snow  melted,  they  were 
found,  in  numerous  instances,  crowded  close  togther,  and 
embedded  in  the  frozen  drifts.  Unlike  most  birds  they 
never  collect  in  large  flocks,  but  usually  move  in  small 
family  groups,  varying  in  numbers  from  ten  to  thirty,  but 
too  often  reduced  to  a  mere  remnant  by  the  inroads  of  the 
sportsman.  These  birds  are  often  found  in  grounds  more 
or  less  open,  preferring  those  in  which  there  is  abundance 
of  low  trees  and  clusters  of  shrubs  in  which  they  can  shel- 
ter  themselves.  The  Quail  is  esteemed  a  great  delicacy  as 
an  article  of  food,  and  is  sought  for  the  market  by  means 
of  traps,  nets  and  various  kinds  of  snares,  and  by  sports- 
men with  the  gun  and  dogs.  It  is  naturally  unsuspicious, 
is  easily  approached,  and  in  the  thickly  settled  parts  of 
the  country  its  ranks  are  already  greatly  thinned.  It  is 
gradually  disappearing  from  New  England,  and  is  now 
very  rare  in  large  tracts  where  it  was  once  quite  abundant. 
In  some  localities  they  have  only  been  retained  by  the  im- 
portation of  others  from  a  distance.  They  are  of  gentle 
disposition,  are  apparently  much  attached  to  each  other 
both  in  the  conjugal  and  in  the  parental  relations,  and 
always  keep  closely  together  in  the  small  flocks  associating 


HABITS.  61 

together.  In  the  fall  the  old  birds  remain  with  their  off- 
spring of  the  season,  and  direct  the  movements  of  their 
family.  They  always  keep  close  together,  by  day  as  well 
as  by  night. 


62 


FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


PAIEING  AND  NESTI:N'G. 

tCAECELY  have  the  winter  months  passed,  the  snow 
disappeared  from  the  ground,  and  early  in  spring, 
^  when  the  returning  sun  begins  to  arouse  the  different 
-^  tribes  from  their  winter  homes,  and  when  the  Wil- 
son snipe  is  on  the  meadows,  this  is  the  season  of  the  ye&r 
when  the  Partridges  begin  their  courtship.  With  us  in 
Maryland,  the  Partridges  commence  mating  in  the  month 
of  March  or  April,  or  even  earlier,  or  later  according  to 
the  season.  After  mating  they  separate  in  pairs,  and 
should  the  weather  change,  and  become  rough  and  cold  or 
snow  fall,  after  being  separated  in  pairs,  it  is  not  unusual 
for  them  to  reassemble  into  coveys  again.  In  separating 
in  pairs  there  are  frequently  more  females  than  males,  and 
more  frequently  more  males  than  females.  When  there 
are  more  males  than  females,  it  detracts  much  from  their 
production,  as  the  overplus  of  males  not  being  provided 
for,  will  single  out  a  female,  and  will  run,  and  so  harass 
her,  will  not  give  her  an  opportunity  to  build  a  nest,  and 
she  will  drop  her  eggs  indiscriminately  from  place  to  place, 
no  two  together.  Should  there  be  more  females  than 
males,  it  does  not  detract  so  much  from  their  production, 
for  sometimes  a  single  male  will  associate  with  more  than 
one  female,  and  on  doing  so,  their  joint  products  will  be 
laid  in  the  same  nest  or  in  one  close  by. 

Mr.  William  Jacobs,  living  in  the  Linganore  hills,  who 
is  a  man  of  fair  veracity,  informed  me  that  he  found  one 
of  these  nests,  near  his  home.  The  nests  were  on  the  side 
of  a  hill,  in  open  ground,  under  some  dewberry  vines,  the 
two  hens  were  setting  about  two  feet  apart,  one  upon  fif- 
teen, and  the  other  seventeen  eggs,  making  in  all  thirty- 
two  eggs.     He  visited  the  nests  regularly  every  day  until 


PAIRING  AND   NESTING.  63 

»■ 

the  eggs  were  hatched.  When  the  females  departed  with 
their  young  brood  they  left  but  one  egg  unhatched.  The 
Partridges  build  their  nests  in  the  month  of  May.  The 
nest  is  always  constructed  on  the  ground,  frequently  at 
the  foot  of  a  stump,  or  by  a  thick  tuft  of  grass,  or  bush, 
often  in  the  corners  of  a  worm  fence  which  is  grown  up 
with  grass,  weeds,  or  briars,  and  frequently  in  the  open 
fields,  as  wheat,  clover  or  timothy.  The  nest  is  very  sim- 
ply constructed,  it  is  slightly  sunk  below  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  The  materials  consist  of  dry  leaves  and  grass,  or 
stubble  and  straw,  and  are  so  arranged  as  to  form  a  cover 
with  an  opening  at  the  side  for  an  entrance,  but  they  are 
as  often  open  above,  as  covered.  The  female  lays  from 
twelve  to  twenty-four  eggs,  of  a  pure  brilliant  white  color, 
sharply  pointed  at  one  end,  and  obtusely  rounded  at  the 
other,  and  is  assisted  by  the  male  in  hatching  them.  The 
period  of  incubation  I  do  not  exactly  know,  but  it  is  said 
to  be  about  twenty -three  days.  When  the  eggs  are  placed 
under  the  domestic  hen,  it  is  said  to  take  four  weeks  to 
hatch  them.  During  the  period  of  incubation,  and  when 
the  female  is  laying,  the  male  may  be'  heard,  a  short  dis- 
tance off,  standing  on  the  fence,  stump,  log,  or  the  low 
limb  of  a  tree,  keeping  his  paramour  company,  by  repeat- 
ing at  intervals  his  well-known  and  familiar  love  notes, 
Bob- White.  The  young  leave  the  nest  as  soon  as  they 
are  freed  from  the  shell,  and  are  led  around  in  search  of 
food  by  the  female,  and  are  nestled  under  her  wing  in  the 
same  manner  as  a  brood  of  young  chickens.  Should  the 
little  brood  be  come  upon  and  surprised  by  an  enemy,  or  a 
huntsman,  or  a  dog,  the  greatest  alarm  and  consternation 
tali  e  place.  The  female  places  herself  in  the  way,  flutter- 
ing along  and  dragging  and  beating  the  ground  with  her 
wings,  as  if  badly  wounded,  at  the  same  time  using  every 
artifice  to  decoy  the  intruder  in  pursuit  of  herself,  crying 
at  the  same  time  notes  of  safety,  which  are  instinctively 
understood  by  the  young  birds,  who  squat  and  hide  among 
the  grass,  and  keep  themselves  close  until  all  danger  is 
passed.     The  female  after  having  succeeded  in  leading  the 


64      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

pursuer  .a.  short  distance  off,  disappears  in  the  cover  by 
running,  or  spreads  her  wings  and  flies  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  yards  and  lights,  and  returns  by  a  circuitous 
route  to  the  place  she  has  just  abandoned,  and  collects 
around  her  the  young  brood,  and  leads  them  away  to  a 
place  of  safety.  This  well  known  manoeuvre,  which  the 
female  resorts  to  for  the  safety  of  her  young,  is  well  under- 
stood by  all  sportsmen  of  experience,  but  to  the  young  and 
inexperienced,  or  a  dog,  the  decoy  eight  times  in  ten  proves 
successful.  Their  notes,  when  calling  the  young  brood  to- 
gether, is  a  low  twittering  sound,  very  much  like  that  of 
young  chickens.  When  a  covey  of  full  grown  birds,  and 
those  that  are  nearly  so,  are  flushed  and  separated,  their 
call  note  to  reassemble  themselves  together  again,  is  very 
different  from  the  male's  love  notes  in  summer.  Boh-  White. 
It  is  a  clear,  loud  whistle,  suggestive  of  fear,  timidity  and 
anxiety,  and  is  familiar  and  well  understood  by  all  sports- 
men, as  this  whistle  is  often  imitated  by  the  sportsmen  to 
draw  a  response,  and  the  birds  from  their  hiding  places. 
The  Partridges,  with  care,  pains  and  attention,  may  be 
easily  raised  in  confinement,  and  may  be  induced  to  propa- 
gate and  may  be  trained  into  a  condition  of  partial  domes- 
tication. Baird,  Brewer  and  Eidgway  state  that  Eev.  Dr. 
Bachman,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  succeeded  in  obtaining,  by 
hatching  under  a  Bantam  Hen,  a  brood  of  young  Quails. 
Confining  them  with  their  foster  mother  for  a  few  days, 
they  were  soon  taught  to  follow  her  like  young  chickens. 
They  were  fed  at  first  on  curds,  but  soon  began  to  eat 
cracked  Indian  corn  and  millet.  They  were  permitted  to 
stray  at  large  in  the  garden,  one  wing  of  each  having  been 
shortened.  They  became  very  gentle,  and  were  in  the 
habit  of  following  Dr.  Bachman  through  his  house,  seating 
themselves  on  the  table  at  which  he  was  writing,  occasion- 
ally in  play,  picking  at  his  hands,  or  running  oft'  with  his 
pen.  At  night  they  nestled  in  a  coop  in  the  garden.  Al- 
though these  pets  had  no  opportunity  of  hearing  any  other 
sounds  than  those  of  the  poultry,  the  male  birds  commenc- 
ed in  the  spring  their  not  unmusical  note  of  Bob-  White,  at 


PAIRING  AND  NESTING.  '  65 

first  low  but  increasing  in  loudness  until  they  were  heard 
through  the  whole  neighborhood.  Their  notes  were  pre- 
cisely like  those  of  the  wild  birds.  As  the  spring  advanced 
the  males  became  very  pugnacious,  and  continued  contests 
took  place  among  themselves,  as  well  as  with  the  pigeons 
and  the  poultry  that  intruded  on  their  premises.  Their 
eggs  were  placed  under  a  hen  and  hatched  out.  The  ex- 
periment went  no  further,  but  was  quite  sufficient  to  de- 
monstrate the  possibility  of  their  domestication. 

Baird,  Brewer  and  Kidgway  further  add,  that  Wilson  re- 
lates that  in  one  instance  a  female  of  this  species  set  upon 
and  hatched  out  the  eggs  of  the  common  hen.  For  sev- 
eral weeks  after,  his  informant  occasionally  surprised  her 
in  various  parts  of  the  plantation  with  her  brood  of  chick- 
ens, on  which  occasion  she  exhibited  every  indication  of 
distress  and  alarm ;  and  practiced  her  usual  manoeuvres 
for  their  preservation.  She  continued  to  lead  them  about 
until  they  were  larger  than  herself,  and  their  manners  had 
all  the  shyness,  timidity,  and  alarm  of  young  Quails. 


66    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


FIEST  AND  SECOND  BEOOD. 

||ji||HE  natural  habit  of  the  Partridges  when  undisturbed 
g||M  is  to  have  two  broods  of  young  in  a  season.  If  the 
"  Spring  is  early  and  favorable,  they  have  the  first 
brood  in  the  latter  part  of  June,  if  otherwise,  in 
July.  The  second  brood  they  have  usually  in  August,  or 
September,  but  it  depends  upon  the  season.  The  first  brood, 
when  about  one-third  grown,  is  taken  charge  of  by  the 
male,  who  is  a  very  watchful  and  attentive  guardian. 
When  there  are  two  broods  in  a  season,  the  second  brood 
unites  with  the  first,  and,  if  undisturbed,  they  will  keep  to- 
gether under  the  guidance  of  their  parents  through  win- 
ter until  spring.  In  Maryland,  and  I  may  say  in  the  Mid- 
dle and  Northern  States,  especially  in  the  thickly  settled 
and  highly  cultivated  portions,  the  Partridges  more  fre- 
quently have  one  than  two  broods  a  season.  This  can  be 
accounted  for.  The  warm  weather  in  Maryland,  and  in 
the  Middle  and  Northern  States,  except  in  some  instances, 
is  hardly  long  enough  to  allow  the  females  sufiicient  time 
to  lay,  and  hatch  their  eggs,  and  have  two  broods  in  a  sea- 
son, before  cold  weather  sets  in,  and,  in  the  thickly  settled 
and  highly  cultivated  portions,  the  nest  and  eggs  are  con- 
stantly being  trespassed  upon  and  destroyed.  So  much  so, 
that  the  females  in  many  instances  are  set  back  late  in  the 
season  with  their  first  broods,  and  as  far  as  I  am  aware, 
when  these  occurrences  take  place,  the  females  content 
themselves  usually  with  having  only  one  brood  in  the  sea- 
son. The  young  broods  the  sportsmen  find  in  October  and 
November  too  small  to  shoot  are  more  frequently  the  first 
and  only  broods  that  have  been  hatched  in  the  season, 
than  they  are  the  second  broods  of  the  season,  unless  there 


FIRST  AND  SECOND  BROOD.  67 

are  two  sizes  of  birds  found  in  the  covies.  When  this  is  the 
case,  I  will  say  ni^e  times  out  of  ten,  then  you  can  be  sure 
that  the  smaller  sizes  are  the  second  broods  that  have  been 
hatched  by  the  females  in  the  season. 


68    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


EOOSTmG. 

wjB|HE  Partridges  always  roost  on  the  ground.  Their 
Slg  favorite  roosting  places  are  the  stubble  fields  and 
^^^  swamps  where  the  ground  is  low,  and  the  tall  grass 
W^  and  rag-weed  most  plentiful.  They  roost  on  the  out- 
skirts of  thicket  and  wood,  in  grass  patches  and  in  clear- 
ings, sheltered  in  the  like  manner,  but  as  often  on  high 
ground  sparingly  covered  as  otherwise.  When  roosting 
they  arrange  themselves  in  a  circle  with  their  bodies  closely 
pressed  against  each  other,  their  tails  forming  the  interior 
of  the  circle,  their  heads  the  exterior.  In  arranging  them- 
selves in  this  manner,  it  adds  greatly  to  their  comfort  in 
extreme  winter,  also  to 'their  safety,  as  they  present  an 
outlook  on  every  side  against  their  enemies,  and  if  they 
are  disturbed  in  the  night  they  can  all  fly  straight  off  with- 
out interfering  with  each  other.  When  undisturbed  and 
the  weather  proves  favorable,  they  frequently  resort  to 
the  same  spot,  or  close  by  to  roost,  for  a  number  of  nights. 
When  going  to  roost  it  is  not  uncommon  for  them  about 
dusk  to  take  a  short  flight  to  an  adjoining  field,  swamp, 
clearing,  or  the  like,  and  settle  down  and  roost  immedi- 
ately about  the  spot  where  they  strike  the  ground.  This 
adds  greatly  to  their  protection  during  the  night,  for  they 
leave  no  trail  behind,  as  they  would  when  going  on  foot, 
for  their  enemies  to  follow  or  scent  them  to  their  roost- 
ing places.  When  the  day  is  fine  and  clear  they  leave 
their  roost  at  a  very  early  hour;  if  rough  and  cold  they 
frequently  remain  on  their  roosting  places  until  the  day  is 
farther  advanced.  When  leaving  their  roost  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  whole  covey  travels  ofl'  in  search  of  food,  or  takes 
a  short  flight  to  some  regular  feeding  ground. 


FOOD  OF  THE  PARTRIDGES.  69 


FOOD  OF  THE  PAETKIDGES. 

^H|aETEIDGES  are  chiefly  granivorous,  but  they  also 
fUS  ^^^^  ^^  berries,  buds,  and  insects.  Their  principal 
'  '  "  food  in  autumn  and  winter  is  wheat,  corn,  buck- 
wheat, berries,  and  seed.  Their  favorite  food  is  corn 
and  buckwheat.  They  prefer  it  to  any  other  kinds  of  grain, 
but  during  the  shooting  season  they  are  more  frequently 
found  in  fewamps,  thickets,  clearings,  and  in  second  growth 
wood  skirts,  briar  patches  bordering  wheat  stubble  and 
corn  fields,  and  in  wheat  stubble,  more  than  they  are  in 
com  and  buckwheat  fields.  This  is  owing  in  a  great  mea- 
sure to  the  want  of  sufficient  cover,  more  than  to  the  pref- 
erence for  the  food  found  there.  They  feed  on  different 
species  of  berries,  gum,  sassafras,  poke,  wild  cherries  and 
the  like,  and  are  very  fond  of  black  haws,  and  wild  chicken 
grapes,  and  eat  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects.  In 
extreme  winter  and  in  spring,  when  the  ground  is  cover- 
ed with  snow,  and  food  is  scarce,  when  driven  by  neces- 
sity more  than  love,  they  feed  on  different  species  of  seed, 
plants,  and  buds,  such  as  rag- weed  seed,  and  then  they  are 
said  to  partake  of  the  tender  buds  and  leaves  of  the  marsh 
laurel  {Kalmia  Glauca),  which  may  be  found  in  the  low- 
lands, and  the  mountain  laurel  (Kalmia  Latifolia),  which 
shades  and  crowns,  and  in  summer  adorns  with  its  beauti- 
ful flowers  our  unshorn  primitive,  wooded  hills,  and  moun- 
tain sides,  and  possesses  like  properties  as  the  other  species. 
This  well  known  evergeen  inhabits  all  sections  of  the  Uni- 
ted States.  It  is  from  three  to  ten  feet  in  height — the 
leaves  are  possessed  of  poisonous  narcotic  properties.  They 
are  said  to  prove  fatal  to  sheep  and  some  other  animals, 
but  are  eaten  with  impunity  by  deer,  goats,  and  partridges. 
It  is  said  that  death  has  been  occasioned  by  eating  the 


70    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

flesh  of  Partridges  and  Pheasants  which  have  fed  upon 
them  during  winter.  I  cannot  vouch  for  the  correctness 
of  these  statements;  as  far  as  1  am  concerned,  I  have 
eaten  hundreds  of  Partridges  and  Pheasants,  and  so  far  I 
have  never  experienced  any  bad  consequences  after  having 
partaken  of  the  flesh,  though  when  I  take  into  considera- 
tion the  respectability  of  those,  some  of  whom  are  respect- 
able and  eminent  physicians,  who  have  particularized  and 
published  in  Medical  Journals  cases  where  it  has  proved 
injurious  and  even  fatal,  I  am  more  than  inclined  to  be- 
lieve there  is  some  foundation  for  these  charges.  Baird, 
Brewer  and  Eidgway  state  that  in  confinement  they  eat 
beechnuts,  acorns,  and  other  kinds  of  nuts,  if  broken  for 
them.  In  villages  where  they  are  not  molested,  they  be- 
come very  tame,  freely  approach  the  barn-yards  to  feed 
with  the  poultry,  and  will  even  come  at  the  call  of  their 
friends  and  pick  up  food  thrown  to  them.  This  is  espe- 
cially noticeable  in  Florida,  where  the  representatives  of 
the  small  race  of  the  species  found  there  are  very  numer- 
ous and  remarkably  confiding. 


FOES  OF  THE  PARTRIDGES.  71 


FOES  OF  THE  PAETEIDGES. 

|HE  Partridges,  like  the  Pheasants,  have  numerous 
foes  to  contend  with,  and  are  destroyed  in  various 
ways,  independent  of  man.  To  enumerate  the  foes 
which  destroy  them,  I  shall  begin  with  the  snake, 
which  crawls  and  creeps  by  day  and  night,  through  field', 
wood,  and  brake,  and  is  ever  ready  to  spring  upon  its 
prey.  This  reptile  destroys  numbers  of  young  birds  be- 
fore they  can  fly.  The  little  sparrow  hawk  is  a  foe  of  the 
Partridges,  and  is  a  very  active  bird  by  day.  It  sits  perch- 
ed upon  a  fence  stake,  or  upon  a  dead  tree  top,  and  there 
watches,  and,  if  any  young  birds  cross  its  pathway  it  will 
pounce  upon  them  with  great  quickness.  This  little  hawk 
only  destroys  the  birds  when  they  are  weak  and  quite 
young.  In  the  summer  season,  crows  are  bold,  cunning, 
and  persistent  plunderers  of  the  nest  of  these  birds.  The 
red  and  grey  fox  are  destructive  foes;  they  travel  their 
rounds  by  day  and  night  through  woods,  fields,  and  brakes, 
and  with  their  acute  sense  of  smell,  sight,  and  hearing, 
they  can  readily  detect  these  birds,  and,  creeping  within 
springing  distance,  they  leap  upon  them  like  a  cat.  These 
cunning  robbers  destroy  great  numbers  of  these  birds, 
both  young  and  old.  Minks  also  make  sad  havoc  among 
both  the  old  and  young  birds,  in  winter  as  well  as  in  sum- 
mer. These  nimble  roaming  animals  mostly  prey  upon 
them  in  the  night,  and  in  travelling  their  run-ways,  they 
search  every  nook,  hole,  and  corner  in  their  beat,  and  from 
their  love  of  killing  they  destroy  more  than  they  can  con- 
sume. The  little  weasel  is  a  very  destructive  foe,  it  puts 
to  death  more  than  it  can  carry  ofi*.  This  active  wiry  little 
animal  seizes  its  prey  near  the  head,  and  the  place  where 
its  teeth  enter  is  so  small  a  wound  that  it  can  scarcely  be 


72    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

perceived.  The  raccoon  has  an  acute  sense  of  smell, 
and  a  keen  appetite  for  such  food.  It  seldom  passes  a 
roosting  covey  without  leaping  upon  them.  The  Pole  Cat 
destroys  large  numbers  of  these  birds,  not  only  when 
pressed  for  food  in  the  winter  season,  but  in  summer  when 
the  birds  are  young.  The  Chicken  Hawk,  Goshawk  (Astur 
atricapillus)  is  a  great  foe  of  the  Partridges.  Thi^  swift, 
strong,  bold  hawk  lurks  around  their  haunts  from  early 
morn  until  dewy  eve,  and  it  never  hesitates  to  sweep  down 
and  catch  up  a  bird  and  make  off  with  it  almost  in  a 
breath.  When  they  are  flushed  by  this  bird  they  fly  in 
every  direction,  and  make  for  thick  cover,  and  will  hide 
themselves  in  brush  piles,  high  grass,  or  the  like,  and  then 
they  are  hard  to  flush.  Remember  this,  whenever  you  see  a 
Chicken  Hawk  lurking  around  particular  fields,  and  sitting 
about  on  certain  trees  in  autumn  or  winter,  you  may  then 
be  sure  that  there  is  a  covey  of  birds  not  far  off,  for  they 
will  haunt  a  covey  of  birds  until  every  bird  in  the  covey 
is  destroyed.  Of  all  the  foes  of  the  Partridges,  I  shall 
award  the  palm  to  the  Pigeon  Hawk,  American  Merlin, 
{Falco  columbarius),  as  the  most  destructive  of  all  the 
hawks.  This  quick  flighted,  bold  and  daring  hawk,  is  but 
a  trifle  larger  than  a  Partridge,  but  it  is  bold,  savage  and 
strong,  and  very  swift  and  quick  on  the  wing,  and  darts 
upon  its  prey  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow.  I  have  seen- 
it  pitch  as  it  were  from  the  clouds,  and  it  would  cut  the 
air  when  coming  down  after  its  prey,  with  the  impetus  and 
speed  of  a  rocket.  The  daring  and  boldness  of  this  hawk 
are  remarkable.  I  have  often  shot  Partridges  flying  in  full 
flight  and  they  would  be  darted  upon  by  this  bird  and  car- 
ried off,  before  they  would  reach  the  ground,  and  I  have 
often  had  the  pleasure,  when  out  Partridge  shooting,  of 
stopping  a  Partridge  with  one  barrel  of  my  gun,  and  bring- 
ing to  the  ground,  this  quick  flighted  assassin  with  the 
other  barrel,  when  it  was  in  the  act  of  carrying  off  the 
bird  that  it  had  seized,  and  I  had  just  killed.  The  great 
horned  owl  (Bubo  Virginianus),  is  a  destructive  foe.  It 
preys  upon  them  in  the  night  when  they  are  sleeping. 


FOES  OP  THE  PARTRIDGES.  73 

This  monster  owl  glides  with  noiseless  pinions,  and  sweeps 
and  skims  over  fields,  wood  and  thicket,  and  with  the  eye 
of  faith,  in  the  darkest  nights,  gobbles  up  its  prey.  Severe 
winters,  and  heavy  falls  of  snow,  are  particularly  fatal  to 
the  Partridge,  especially  if  there  is  a  heavy  crust  formed 
on  the  snow,  for  they  frequently  perish  in  its  impenetra- 
ble cover,  besides  they  are  exposed  to  all  their  foes,  and 
they  are  frozen  to  death  in  whole  coveys;  and  hundreds 
of  them  perish  from  starvation,  and  many  of  them  die 
from  the  absence  of  water.  Heavy  rains,  and  floods,  and 
a  long  showery  spell  of  weather  in  June  or  July  is  destruc- 
tive to  them.  It  spoils  their  eggs,  and  destroys  many  of 
the  quite  young  birds.  Domestic  animals  do  the  same. 
Mowing  machines,  wheat  reapers,  hay  and  grain  rakes, 
and  a  close  cultivation  of  the  soil,  are  engines  of  war  that 
wonderfully  lessen  the  ranks  of  these  native  American 
game  birds. 


10 


74    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  PARTRIDGE. 

jIIE  Partridge  is  one  of  the  swiftest  birds  on  the 
wing  that  exists.  There  are  but  few  birds  that  I  am 
aware  of  that  can  excel  them  in  rapidity  of  flight. 
The  Partridge,  when  springing  from  the  ground,  and 
when  on  the  wing,  makes  a  loud  whirring  noise.  This 
sound  is  produced  by  the  construction,  and  rapid  motion 
of  the  wings.  On  rising  from  the  ground  and  going  off, 
the  Partridge  flies  by  a  succession  of  quick  flaps,  until 
they  get  under  full  headway;  they  then  spread  their 
wings  and  sail  with  wonderful  rapidity,  on  well  balanced 
pinions,  usually  lowering  as  they  go  until  nearing  the 
ground,  then  sail  in  a  straight  direction,  or  turn  to  the 
right,  or  to  the  left,  and  sweep  around,  where  they  break 
their  fall  by  a  few  more  quick  flaps  of  the  wings.  With 
wonderful  speed  and  command  of  wing,  the  American  Par- 
tridge will  fly  and  dart  through  the  most  intricate,  entan- 
gled thicket,  or  brake,  and  even  the  silent  leaves  are  often 
made  to  tremble  by  the  electric  speed  of  the  wings  of  this 
passing  bird,  and  it  seldom  makes  a  mistake,  or  gets  en- 
tangled through  vines,  boughs,  or  bushes,  that  often  inter- 
cept the  flight  of  other  birds.  On  being  suddenly  flushed 
the  Partridge  rises  from  the  ground  into  the  air,  with 
great  rapidity,  and  will  rise  from  three  to  ten  feet  at  its 
first  spring.  As  the  season  advances,  the  Partridge  rises 
wilder  and  swifter,  on  being  disturbed,  especially  if  their 
alarm  and  fright  be  very  great.  Their  slowest  flight  is  in 
the  morning  on  first  being  found.  Their  swiftest  and  long- 
est flights  are  made  when  flying  with  the  wind,  and  fleeing 
from  fright  and  danger,  after  having  been  shot  at.  To  kill 
them  flying  at  this  rate  of  speed,  you  will  have  to  bestir 
yourself  very  swiftly,  yet  deliberately  withal,  and  must 


FLIGHT   OF   THE    PARTRIDGE.  75 

have  a  quick  eye  and  ready  finger,  and  you  must  handle 
yourself  and  gun,  and  shape  your  movements  very  quickly 
to  cut  them  down.  When  they  are  flushed  on  a  moun- 
tain, or  on  a  hill,  they  usually  make  longer  flights  than 
they  do  when  flushed  on  the  level  ground.  Their  flight  is 
considerably  increased  in  velocity  by  a  strong  wind,  and 
nine  times  out  of  ten,  they  will  fly  with  the  wind,  even 
should  they  be  flushed  against  the  wind.  When  the  wind 
is  blowing  a  gale,  or  a  north-wester,  to  bring  them  down 
your  movements  and  actions  must  be  very  quick,  and 
keen,  or  they  will  not  be  stopped.  The  flight  of  Partridges 
varies  very  much  as  regards  distance,  according  to  the 
ground  where  they  are  flushed,  the  season  of  the  year,  and 
the  strength  of  the  wind,  and  whether  they  have  been 
much  disturbed  or  not.  In  the  first  of  the  shooting  season, 
when  the  birds  are  young,  and  have  not  been  too  much 
shot  at,  their  flight  rarely  exceeds  more  than  three  hun- 
dred yards  in  distance,  and  many  will  come  down  inside  of 
half  this  distance.  In  thicket  and  swamp,  where  the  cover 
is  dense,  they  seldom  fly  very  far  before  they  settle.  In 
open  country  where  the  cover  is  thin,  and  the  ground 
bare,  they  usually  fly  much  farther  on  being  flushed.  On 
rolling  land,  or  on  hills,  they  often  make  very  long  flights, 
and  if  they  once  get  in  the  habit  of  making  long  flights, 
they  are  sure  to  repeat  them  on  being  much  disturbed. 
Late  in  the  season  I  have  often  seen  whole  covies,  when 
they  were  wild  from  frequent  flushing,  take  wing  from  the 
side  of  a  hill,,  and  fly  entirely  out  of  sight  to  an  adjoining 
hill,  over  the  tops  of  the  highest  trees,  and  I  have  often 
had  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  or  more,  to  walk,  before  reaching 
them  again.  When  Partridges  rise  of  their  own  free  will, 
the  whole  covey  flies  in  the  same  course.  When  flushed 
by  a  sportsman  they  invariabl}^  seek  safety  by  separating. 
When  flushed  in  the  open  fields  they  usually  fly  for  thick 
cover,  in  swamps,  woods,  thickets,  and  the  like,  and  if  you 
are  standing  between  them  and  the  cover,  when  they  are 
flushed,  they  are  just  as  likely  to  fly  to  the  right,  or  to  the 
left,  or  over  your  head,  as  they  are  to  fly  off  in  a  straight 


76      PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

direction.  And  on  following  them  into  such  places,  and 
springing  them  singly,  or  by  twos,  threes,  fours  or  more, 
and  firing  at  them  when  they  come  to  the  end  of  the  cover, 
if  you  flush  them  there,  they  then  are  more  likely  to  wheel 
and  fly  over  your  head,  and  go  back  into  the  cover  again, 
than  they  are  to  go  out  into  the  open,  unless  there  is  an 
adjoining  cover  close  by.  And  I  am  not  aware  of  any 
ehots  that  are  more  awkward  to  kill,  than  these,  when 
they  are  disposed  to  fly  in  this  wa}^,  especially  when  you 
are  in  thick  second  growth  timber,  and  hugging  a  steep 
hill  or  mountain  side,  where  you  can  scarcely  stand  or  walk, 
except  by  using  one  hand  and  holding  on  to  branches. 


MIGRATION — WANDERING    BIRDS.  77 


MIGRATION— WANDEEING  BIRDS. 

jARTRIDGES  do  not  migrate,  but  similar  to  the 
Pheasant  (Bonasa  umhellus)  on  the  approach  of 
^^^  winter,  many  of  them  shift  their  quarters  to  thicker 
^  cover.  The  distance  is  not  extensive,  nor  general; 
they  rarely  move,  of  their  own  free  will,  to  any  great  ex- 
tent from  where  they  have  been  hatched,  not  even  in  quest 
of  food,  nor  from  the  severity  of  the  winter  season.  Al- 
though they  do  not  migrate,  many  of  them,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  autumn,  are  driven  for  miles  from  their  for- 
mer haunts,  and  from  where  they  have  been  hatched,  in 
various  ways  and  from  various  causes.  Some  of  the  prin- 
cipal causes  which  drive  them  off,  are  ploughing  up  fields, 
where  they  have  been  hatched,  and  in  cutting  the  corn  off 
of  fields  where  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  roaming, 
and  were  protecting  themselves  in  its  cover.  When  these 
changes  take  place,  which  they  do  regularly  every  autumn, 
many  of  them  are  compelled  to  travel  off  in  search  of  new 
ground  to  find  cover;  and  they  often  travel  from  one  field 
to  another,  and  are  driven  in  this  way  for  miles,  from 
where  they  have  been  hatched,  and  reared.  And  in  wan- 
dering around  on  strange  grounds,  they  frequently  become 
lost  and  bewildered,  and  often  times  they  do  not  know 
what  course  to  pursue,  or  where  to  go.  These  are  the 
birds  that  we  usually  hear  of  in  autumn,  being  scattered 
in  the  towns  and  villages  of  our  country.  When  these 
birds  are  moving,  some  persons  call  it  their  running  season, 
others  calling  them  travelling  birds.  When  they  are  mov- 
ing they  will  not  always  lie  for  a  dog  to  point  them ;  they 
usually  fly  and  alight,  and  commence  running  again  before 
the  dog  gets  up  to  them.  Whenever  you  are  sure  that 
your  dog  is  trailing  a  moving  covey  of  wild  and  running 


78      FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

birds,  make  him  go  slowly;  if  you  do  not,  he  will  be  almost 
sure  to  flush  them  wild,  and  they  will  get  up  too  far  in 
advance  to  get  any  kind  of  a  shot  at  them,  and  should 
they  fly,  it  will  then  be  a  toss  up  whether  you  will  And 
them  again  inside  of  an  hour,  or  find  them  at  all.  When 
the  dog  is  on  the  trail,  if  he  attempts  to  run,  or  go  fast, 
check  him,  and  make  him  go  slow,  and  follow  him  up 
close,  and  make  as  little  noise  when  following  as  possible. 
When  the  birds  come  to  long  grass,  brushwood,  thicket,  or 
swamp,  there  are  nine  chances  out  of  ten,  that  then  here 
they  will  stop  and  settle,  and  when  the  dog  gets  up  to 
them  and  points,  if  he  is  broken  properly,  as  he  should  be, 
so  that  he  will  obey  the  command,  all  you  have  to  do,  is  to 
hie  him  in,  and  flush  the  birds  and  scatter  them;  then  they 
will  lie  for  the  dog  to  point  them;  and  if  the  dog  goes  in 
at  the  command  with  a  rush,  as  he  should  go,  this  will 
scatter  the  covey,  and  they  will  fly  in  all  directions;  and 
when  they  get  up  fire  at  them,  and  take  your  chances  on 
using  them  up,  in  marking  them  down,  and  in  following 
after  them,  as  soon  as  the  gun  is  recharged.  In  this  way 
I.  have  often  broken  up  many  covies  that  were  wild  and 
running,  and  have  had  good  sport  with  them.  When  the 
snow  covers  the  ground,  and  a  crust  is  formed  on  the  top 
of  it,  I  have  seen  covies  act  much  in  the  same  manner. 
The  snow  covers  up  their  hiding  places,  and  changes  the 
appearance  of  their  haunts,  and  they  get  confounded,  and 
do  not  know  where  to  go.  They,  however,  all  keep  to- 
gether, and  run  over  its  surface,  and  are  generally  very 
wild,  and  they  will  but  seldom  allow  a  dog  to  get  close 
enough  to  point  them,  but  will  fly  and  alight,  and  com- 
mence running  again,  before  the  dog  gets  up  to  them. 
Whenever  you  come  across  covies  on  the  snow,  that  are 
disposed  to  act  in  this  way,  the  only  plan  to  pursue,  to  be 
successful,  is  to  call  the  dog  in,  and  keep  him  behind  you, 
and  follow  them  up.  On  coming  up  to  the  covey,  if  they 
rise,  fire  into  it,  and  scatter  the  birds.  If  they  fly  to  a  hill 
or  mountain  side  with  a  southern  exposure,  where  the 
snow  is  soft,  or  to  a  broken  hillside  where  there  are  pro- 


MIGRATION — WANDERING   BIRDS.  79 

jecting  rocks,  where  the  ground  is  bare,  or  to  the  edge  of 
a  streamlet  bank,  where  there  are  patches  of  bare  ground,  . 
then  you  may  follow  them  up,  and  you  may  have  pretty 
good  sport  with  them,  because  here,  ten  to  one,  they  will  lie 
for  the  dog  to  point  them ;  but  should  they  fly  and  alight 
where  the  snow  is  hard,  it  is  only  time  lost  to  follow  after 
them  to  have  sport,  and  you  may  as  well  credit  yourself 
with  an  endless  tramping,  and  give  them  up. 


80  '  HAUNTS  AND  HABITS  OF  PARTRIDGES  AND  WHERE  FOUND. 


HAUNTS   AND    HABITS    OF    PARTEIDGES    AND 
WHERE  FOUND. 

tHE  knowledge  one  sportsman  possesses  ^  over  ano- 
ther, of  the  haunts  and  habits  of  Partridges,  is 
-^  very  often  the  difference  between  one  man's  good 
^  luck,  in  a  day's  hunt,  over  that  of  another,  who  hunts 
in  a  hap-hazard  way,  without  giving  these  matters  atten- 
tion. I  shall  give  my  knowledge  of  the  haunts  and  habits 
of  Partridges,  and  the  best  places  where  to  find  these 
birds.  In  dry,  fair  weather.  Partridges  are  found  feeding 
most  generally  in  wheat  stubbles  and  cornfields,  from  sun- 
rise until  about  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning.  From 
about  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  until  about 
three  in  the  afternoon,  they  most  frequently  resort  to  the 
sides  of  fields  in  clumps  of  bushes,  or  in  jDatches  of  wood, 
or  along  the  sides  of  creeks  that  are  grown  up  with  bushes, 
where  they  go  to  drink,  and  pick  up  gravel,  and  where  they 
often  spend  some  time  in  picking,  scratching,  and  dusting 
themselves.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they 
commence  to  run,  and  feed  again,  and  usually  return  back 
to  the  wheat  stubbles,  and  cornfields,  where  they  remain 
until  sunset,  when  they  go  to  some  favorite  spot  to  roost. 
They  do  not  always  roost  in  the  same  fields  they  feed  in; 
they  frequently  take  a  short  flight  to  an  adjoining  field  or 
swamp,  and  there  settle  and  huddle  together,  and  remain 
in  this  position  until  morning.  They  rarely  ever  run  after 
they  alight,  which  makes  them  more  secure  from  their 
foes,  as  they  leave  no  trail  behind  by  which  they  might  be 
followed  to  their  roosting  places,  and  detected.  On  wet 
and  foggy  days,  they  can  most  frequently  be  found  in  the 
woods,  and  in  thin  open  cover,  and  on  high  ground,  and 
in  the  dryest  places.     In  cold,  windy  weather,  they  can  be 


HAUNTS  AND  HABITS  OF  PARTRIDGES  AND  WHERE  FOUND.    81 

found  most  frequently  in  thick  cover,  where  they  can  pro- 
tect themselves  from  the  cold  and  wind,  and  where  they 
are  exposed  to  the  sun,  as  in  second  growth  wood,  along 
hill  sides  that  are  exposed  to  the  south,  where  there  are 
patches  of  grass  in  hollows  where  the  rag-weed  is  rank  and 
thick,  and  along  the  edges  of  wood,  thicket,  and  swamp, 
where  there  are  j^mtches  of  weeds,  grass,  and  briars.  In 
het,  dry  weather  they  most  frequently  resort  to  low  ground, 
along  swamjDS,  creeks  and  ditches,  in  moist  and  cool  places. 
When  the  day  is  wet  and  cold  they  remain  on  their  roost 
until  late  in  the  morning.  If  pleasant  and  fair  they  leave 
their  roosting  places,  and  are  on  the  move  at  a  very  early 
hour.  If  snow  should  fall  they  remain  on  their  roosting 
places  until  the  day  is  far  advanced,  and  are  often  covered 
up  by  a  deep  fall.  When  the  snow  is  very  deep  and  drift- 
ed, they  shelter  and  protect  themselves  along  the  sides  of 
hills  that  are  grown  up  with  wood,  and  are  exposed  to  the 
south,  and  along  the  streams  and  creek  banks,  where 
there  are  always  more  or  less  patches  of  bare  ground,  and 
where  the  snow  soon  melts.  In  other  localities  they  resort 
to  swamps,  thickets,  clearings,  brushwood,  thick  sedge 
grass  cover,  and  in  the  corners  of  the  worm  fences  that 
are  grown  up  with  weeds  and  briars,  and  here  they  often 
remain  closely  huddled  together,  in  their  snowy  prisons, 
sometimes  for  days. 


11 


82    PRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


WITHHOLDIISTG  SCENT. 

tHERE  are  many  sportsmen  who  believe  that  the 
American  Partridge  has  the  power  of  withholding 
^^-p  its  scent,  on  being  hotly  pursued  by  its  enemies,  be- 
^  cause  the  very  best  of  dogs,  at  times,  cannot  discover 
Partridges,  even  after  they  have  been  accurately  marked 
down  in  places  where  they  have  been  seen  to  settle.  Yery 
often  on  flushing  a  covey  of  Partridges,  they  fly  off  all  well 
together,  and  after  having  been  accurately  marked  down, 
and  the  full  covey  amounting  perhaps  to  fifteen  or  twenty 
birds,  have  been  seen  to  settle  at  a  particular  place,  it  fre- 
quently happens  that  not  more  than  two-thirds  of  the 
birds  in  the  covey  can  be  flushed  up  again,  at  the  place 
where  they  have  been  seen  to  settle,  and  the  dogs  fail  to 
find  and  point  them,  even  after  having  been  closely  hunted 
about  the  spot.  This  is  a  great  mystery  to  many  sportsmen, 
why  all  the  birds  in  the  covey  cannot  be  found  at  the  place 
where  they  alighted ;  and  many  a  good  dog  has  been  un- 
justly lashed  for  not  finding  the  birds  under  these  circum- 
stances. Some  sportsmen  account  for  it  by  supposing  the 
birds  are  still  at  the  spot  where  they  alighted,  in  a  state  of 
quietude,  withholding  their  scent  from  the  dog,  which  pre- 
vents the  dog  from  finding  them.  Other  sportsmen  ac- 
count for  it  by  supposing  the  birds  are  still  at  the  place 
where  they  alighted,  but  being  frightened,  terror  checks 
the  secretions  which  are  usually  emitted  by  the  bird,  and 
which  renders  the  dog  unable  to  scent  them.  I  believe  nei- 
ther; my  observation  and  experience  have  taught  me  to  look 
upon  the  cause,  and  account  for  it,  in  an  entirely  difi'erent 
way.  I  unhesitatingly  say,  that  I  do  not  believe  the  Ameri- 
can Partridge  possesses  the  power  of  retaining  its  scent  from 
the  dog,  nor  do  I  believe  excessive  terror  checks  the  efilu- 


WITHHOLDING   SCENT.  83 

vium  that  is  given  out  by  the  bird,  which  enables  the  dog 
to  find  and  point  them.  There  are  various  causes  why 
the  very  best  of  dogs  at  times  cannot  find  and  point  Par- 
tridges, even  after  they  have  been  accurately  marked 
down,  and  have  been  seen  to  settle  themselves  at  a  partic- 
ular spot. 

A  Partridge,  as  a  general  rule,  when  it  strikes  the  ground, 
does  not  set  quietly  at  the  identical  spot  where  it  strikes 
the  ground,  biit  at  the  instant  of  its  fall  it  walks  or  runs 
oif  a  short  distance,  and  hides  and  secretes  itself  so  that 
you  cannot  find  it.  The  distance  it  runs  from  the  spot, 
where  it  strikes  the  ground  and  hides,  as  a  general  thing 
is  not  more  than  a  few  feet,  but  it  frequently  occurs,  that 
they  run  off  a  long  distance  from  the  spot  where  they 
alight  and  hide  and  entirely  escape  pursuit.  It  frequently 
happens  also  outside  of  the  general  rule  that  a  Partridge, 
on  striking  the  ground,  will  set  perfectly  quiet  at  the  very 
identical  spot  where  it  strikes  the  ground,  and  will  not  stir 
a  peg,  nor  move  a  muscle,  and  on  doing  so,  in  high  thick- 
matted  grass,  it  often  occurs  there  is  no  scent  by  which 
the  dog  can  find  it,  except  at  the  very  identical  spot  it 
strikes  the  ground ;  and  the  dog  is  not  likely  to  find  it,  be- 
cause the  scent  is  not  dispersed  sufficiently  around  the  spot 
for  the  dog  to  detect  it.  Not  that  the  bird  is  withholding 
its  scent  from  the  dog,  and  thus  preventing  the  dog  from 
finding  it,  but  because  the  scent  is  confined,  and  covered 
up  at  a  particular  spot,  and  does  not  rise  and  diffuse  itself 
around  sufficiently  to  enable  the  dog  to  detect  it.  I  have 
often  observed  on  getting  these  birds  up  again,  that  when 
they  would  fly  off,  and  settle  in  open  cover,  and  at  the  mo- 
ment of  their  fall  would  walk  or  run  a  few  feet  or  so,  and 
then  hide,  that  immediately  on  coming  up  to  the  spot  the 
dog  would  come  down,  and  point  them  most  beautifully. 
I  have  often  observed  on  the  snow,  that  when  a  Partridge 
alights,  and  runs  a  few  feet  or  so,  and  hides  under  the 
snow,  the  dog  is  not  apt  to  miss  it,  but  if  it  pitches  straight 
down  like  a  stone  into  the  snow,  and  remains  perfectly 
quiet  at  the  spot  where  it  strikes,  and  is  covered  up  by 


84      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

the  snow,  there  is  no  scent  around  that  spot,  and  the  dog 
is  not  apt  to  find  it.  It  frequently  happens  on  flushing  a 
covey  of  Partridges,  amounting  perhaps  to  fifteen  or 
twenty  birds,  that  after  they  have  been  accurately  marked 
down,  and  the  full  covey  has  been  seen  to  settle  at  a  par- 
ticular place,  on  flushing  the  covey  up  again,  not  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  birds  in  the  covey  can  be  flushed 
up  at  the  place  where  they  have  been  seen  to  settle,  and 
the  dogs  fail  to  find  them,  even  after  having  been  closely 
hunted  about  the  spot.  Why  all  the  birds  in  the  full  covey 
cannot  be  flushed  up  again  is  easily  accounted  for.  Do 
not  suppose  that  the  birds  all  set  quietly  at  the  spot  where 
they  alight;  if  3^ou  do,  you  will  be  often  mistaken.  Some- 
times they  may,  sometimes  they  may  not.  Do  not  sup- 
pose the  birds  are  withholding  the  scent  from  the  dog;  if 
you  do,  you  will  be  disappointed,  for  the  American  Par- 
tridge does  not  possess  that  power.  The  reason  why  every 
bird  in  the  covey  cannot  be  flushed  is  because  they  are 
not  all  there  to  flush.  Some  have  left.  It  frequently  hap- 
pens when  a  covey  of  Partridges  settles,  every  bird  in  the 
covey  at  the  moment  of  striking  the  ground  will  remain 
quiet  within  a  few  feet  of  the  spot  where  they  alight,  but 
this  is  not  always  the  case,  and  do  not  suppose  so,  for  I 
assure  you  it  often  happens  that  part  of  the  birds  in  the 
covey  run  like  race  horses,  directly  their  feet  strike  the 
ground,  and  in  this  way  they  oftentimes  entirely  escape 
pursuit,  and  when  part  of  the  covey  does  so,  on  coming  up 
to  the  place  where  you  have  seen  the  full  covey  settle,  the 
dogs  will  generally  come  to  a  stand  and  point  those  birds 
that  remain  around  the  spot  where  they  alighted,  and  on 
getting  these  birds  up,  the  dog's  attention  is  fixed  upon  the 
birds  that  rise  up,  and  is  drawn  immediately  around  the 
spot  where  they  spring  from,  and  is  entirely  withdrawn 
from  the  trail  of  that  part  of  the  cove}"  that  took  to  their 
heels  and  ran  as  soon  as  their  feet  touched  the  ground,  and 
the  stronger  scent  from  the  feet  of  so  many  birds  that  have 
just  arisen  will  transcend  that  of  the  few  birds  that  have 
run  off,  and  will  bewilder  the  dogs,  and  the  few  birds  that 


WITHHOLDING   SCENT.  85 

ran  off  will  not  be  found,  and  will  escape  pursuit.  But  by 
coming  up  to  the  place,  in  the  course  of  an  hour  or  so,  some 
of  these  birds  may  be  flushed  at  the  identical  place  where 
they  took  to  their  heels  and  from  which  they  escaped,  as 
they  frequently  return  back  to  the  place  after  the  lapse  of 
an  hour  or  so  to  get  together  again,  and  on  going  up  to  the 
place  the  dogs  will  soon  find  and  point  them.  I  will  give 
you  a  case  in  point.  I  recollect  once  while  out  Partridge 
shooting  in  JFrederick  county,  Maryland,  accompanied  by 
two  companions,  both  of  whom  were  excellent  huntsmen, 
and  capital  shots,  we  were  in  a  large  stubble  field  owned 
by  Daniel  Kolb.  Eunningattheedge  of  this  field  was  a  small 
stream  of  water  called  Keller's  branch,  which  runs  into  the 
Monocacy  Eiver.  We  were  accompanied  by  three  fine  dogs 
and  as  good  hunters  and  finders,  I  think,  as  ever  winded  a 
stubble.  The  first  was  a  blood-red  setter,  called  "  Eover," 
which  for  sagacity  and  nose  I  never  saw  excelled  The 
second  was  snow  white,  except  the  left  ear,  which  was  gold 
and  yellow,  a  pointer  called  "  Eake,"  which  for  staunchness 
and  trail  I  never  saw  surpassed.  The  third  was  a  sky  blue, 
a  cross,  (half  pointer  and  setter,)  called  "Ponto,"  which  for 
dash,  range,  wind,  and  speed,  I  have  never  before  or  since 
seen  equaled.  The  day  was  clear,  and  the  air  clean  and 
fresh  ;  the  red  setter,  "Eover,"  came  to  a  point,  where  the 
ground  rose  slightly.  The  white  pointer,  "  Eake,"  was  busy 
with  his  head  down  trailing  at  the  time  close  by  the  red 
setter,  but  on  noticing  him,  the  white  dog  Eake  edged  him- 
self close  up  to  the  red  setter,  and  came  down  flat  just  a 
little  in  his  rear.  The  blue  dog  "Ponto"  we  had  lost  sight 
of  at  the  moment,  but  on  looking  around  we  saw  him  stand- 
ing on  the  bank  of  a  small  gully,  from  which  he  had  just 
emerged,  and  seeing  the  white  and  red  dog  on  the  brow 
had  back-pointed  them.  My  two  companions  and  myself 
advanced  up  to  the  two  dogs  in  good  style,  and  with  due 
caution.  Arriving  at  the  spot,  we  were  stationed  as  follows  : 
One  of  my  companions  on  the  left,  the  other  on  the  right, 
and  myself  occupying  the  centre.  We  advanced  in  front 
of  the  dogs.     One  bird  arose,  and  was  cut  down  by  my  com- 


86  ♦  FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

panion  to  the  left.  At  the  report  of  the  gun,  the  covey 
arose,  and  it  was  rigidly  fired  into  by  all  three  of  us.  My 
companion  to  the  left  got  in  his  shot  in  good  style,  and 
bagged  his  second  bird.  My  companion  to  the  right  got 
both  his  first  and  second  shots  in  beautifully,  and  bagged 
two  birds.  I  got  my  first  shot  in,  and  bagged  one  bird,  but 
the  second  shot  I  was  balked  in,  by  the  bird  being  shot 
away  from  me  by  one  or  the  other  of  my  companions,  and 
I  fired  my  second  shot  at  the  balance  of  the  covey  of  seven 
birds  a  long  distance  off.  At  the  report  of  my  second  bar- 
rel I  saw  the  feathers  fly  out  of  one  bird  among  the  seven, 
and  I  knew  one  was  hit,  and  I  called  upon  my  companion 
to  watch  them  and  mark  them  down,  at  the  same  time  do- 
ing so  myself  The  seven  birds  went  on,  and  drojoped  close 
together  in  the  same  field,  near  a  large  locust  stump,  which 
was  some  two  hundred  yards  distant.  After  charging  our 
guns  we  followed  them  up.  On  arriving  at  the  stump,  my 
two  dogs,  Ponto  and  Rate,  stood  almost  simultaneously, 
the  third  dog,  Rover,  back  pointing  a  short  distance  off. 
Close  b}'  the  stump  stood  a  small  clump  of  pokeberry  bushes. 
Some  of  the  branches  were  broken  and  hanging  down;  un- 
der these  branches  the  ground  was  perfectly  bare,  and  from 
there  one  bird  sprang.  I  dropped  it  in  a  moment.  The 
dogs  moved  at  the  discharge  of  the  gun,  and  three  more 
birds  arose  and  flew  in  a  scattered  direction.  One  of  my 
companions  dropped  one  of  them,  and  the  other  got  the 
other  two  down.  The  dogs  I  dropped  in  a  moment,  fear- 
ing they  might  move  the  remaining  three  birds  yet  un- 
flushed.  We  reloaded  and  bagged  the  four  birds,  and  then 
hied  on  the  dogs.  They  went  up  to  and  under  the  poke- 
berry  bushes,  and  nosed  every  inch  of  ground  over  and  over 
again  where  these  birds  sprang  from,  but  not  a  feather  coul(,I 
they  find.  My  companions  and  myself  marked  the  seven 
birds  well  and  closely.  Wondering  what  could  be  the  mat- 
ter, we  made  the  dogs  hunt  very  closely  around  the  spot, 
but  not  a  bird  could  they  find.  We  hunted  the  ground  over 
and  over  again,  the  dogs  crossing  and  recrossing,  checker- 
ing it,  but  not  a  sign  of  a  bird  could  they  find.     We  eyed 


WITHHOLDING  SCENT.  87 

every  inch  of  ground  under  the  poke  bushes.  We  hunted 
and  kicked  the  stubbles  around  and  around  the  spot,  at 
least  one  half  an  hour  for  the  three  remaining  birds  of  the 
seven  which  we  marked  settled  at  this  particular  spot,  buj; 
in  vain,  and  finally  left  the  grounds  in  disgust  and  despair. 
We  leisurely  pursued  our  hunt  through  the  field,  and  coming 
up  to  Keller's  branch  we  rested  at  a  small  spring  and  ate 
our  lunch,  the  dogs  at  the  time  at  our  heels.  We  spent  two 
hours  along  this  branch,  and  while  we  were  being  amused 
in  dissecting  a  large  turtle  we  had  prized  out  of  the  mud 
from  its  winter  quarters,  we  heard  the  calling  notes  of  two 
Partridges,  apparentl}'  sounding  as  if  they  came  from  the 
spot  we  had  left  two  hours  before.  I  asked  my  two  com- 
panions to  go  back  with  me  to  the  small  clump  of  poke 
bushes  again,  which  they  both  readily  assented  to.  We 
took  the  field,  the  blue  dog  Ponto  leading  the  van.  On 
getting  up  to  the  poke  bushes  Ponto  made  a  point.  I 
called  to  Eake  and  Rover,  who  were  running  wild,  and 
they  turned  their  range,  and  backed  him.  Ponto  com- 
menced drawing  a  little,  and  the  three  were  soon  together 
circling  the  clump  of  poke  bushes.  We  now  walked  up. 
As  we  came  within  three  or  four  yards  of  the  clump  we 
halted,  the  dogs  were  firm  as  a  rock,  and  true  as  steel,  and 
under  the  poke  bushes  were  throe  Partridges  close  together, 
on  the  bare  ground.  Two  birds  arose  and  were  cut  down, 
the  third  bird  remaining  perfectly  quiet  at  the  spot,  and 
on  going  up  to  it,  it  proved  to  be  dead,  and  on  examining 
it  we  found  a  shot  had  hit  it  in  the  back,  and  gone  through 
the  skin,  and  ran  around  and  passed  through  its  breast, 
it  evidently  being  the  bird  I  hit,  and  out  of  which  the 
feathers  flew  from  my  second  shot  at  the  seven  birds  when 
the  covey  first  sprang,  and  the  three  birds  we  found  on  re- 
.turning  to  the  poke  bushes,  after  the  lapse  of  two  hours, 
evidently  were  a  part  of  the  seven  birds  which  we 
marked  settled  at  this  particular  spot.  Why  they  were  not 
found  on  first  going  up  to  the  poke  bushes  is  easily  ac- 
counted for.  Not  by  supposing  the  birds  were  still  quietly 
at  the  spot  where  the}^  alighted,  withholding  their  scent 


88      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

from  the  dogs,  but  because  they  were  not  there.  They  had 
left.  The  hit  bird  and  two  of  its  companions,  at  the  instant 
of  striking  the  ground,  ran  off  and  hid,  and  after  the  lapse 
of  two  hours  the}^  returned  to  the  spot  where  they  alighted 
to  get  together  again,  and  the  three  huddled,  and  the 
wounded  bird  died,  and,  on  coming  up  to  the  spot  the  second 
time,  the  dogs  soon  found  and  pointed  them. 

I  have  never  known  pointers  or  setters  to  have  the  slight- 
est diflSculty  in  finding  or  pointing  crippled  Partridges  when 
they  had  tumbled  about,  or  ran  on  striking  the  ground.  I 
have  seen  pointers  and  setters  find  and  point  dead  Part- 
ridges fifteen  minutes  after  the  breath  had  left  the  body, 
that  is,  when  they  had  tumbled  about  or  ran  a  few  feet  or 
so  before  expiring.  A  Partridge,  alighting  in  open  cover, 
and  running  a  few  feet  or  so,  and  settling  and  remaining  at 
the  spot  where  it  settled,  will  not  be  missed  once  in  a  thou- 
sand times,  if  the  day  is  clear,  and  the  air  clean  and  fresh, 
and  the  dogs  are  good,  provided  you  advance  to  the  spot  at 
once,  and  search  the  ground  close,  and  give  the  dogs  ample 
time. 


LATE  IN  THE  SEASON.  89 


LATE  IN  THE  SEASON. 

ffi^HEEE  is  a  vast  difference  between  shooting  Part- 
SjM  ridges  during  the  first  of  the  shooting  season,  and 

^^  shooting  Partridges  when  the  season  is  far  advanced. 

^  At  the  first  of  the  shooting  season  in  October  the 
birds  are  young  and  tame,  they  have  not  the  power  of  wing 
and  strength  that  they  would  have  later  in  the  season ;  they 
rise  slowly,  and  offer  a  beautiful  and  easy  mark  to  shoot  at, 
and  if  hit  are  easily  brought  down  and  killed.  But  late  in 
the  season  they  become  full  grown  and  full  feathered,  and 
are  stronger  on  the  wing,  and  are  wild  from  frequent  flush- 
ing, and  are  suspicious  of  both  man  and  dog,  and  oftentimes 
they  will  not  allow  either  to  approach  them  close,  but  will 
rise  ten  feet  in  the  advance  with  startling  suddenness,  and 
fly  with  great  velocity,  and  pitch  for  cover  as  swift  as  bul- 
lets. Then  it  is,  arid  it  is  at  this  season  of  the  year  that 
the  sportsman  finds  some  difficulty  in  bringing  them  down 
To  kill  them  flying  at  this  season  of  the  year  truly  requires 
an  art,  and  the  skill  of  the  sportsman  is  fully  tested.  It  is 
at  this  season  of  the  year  that  you  see  amateur  sportsmen 
and  bad  shots  banging  away  their  powder  and  shot  without 
filling  their  game-bags.  The  number  of  birds  bagged  by 
amateur  sportsmen  and  bad  shots,  at  an  advanced  period  of 
the  season,  are  very  few,  unless  by  chance  they  should  rake 
a  covey  huddled  on  the  ground.  The  very  best  skill  of  the 
sportsman  is  required  when  the  season  is  far  advanced,  as 
the  birds  then  are  extremely  swift  and  wild,  and  often,  with 
skill  and  experience,  the  very  best  of  sportsmen  fails  to  bring 
home  a  heavy  bag.  Late  in  the  season  always  try  and  get 
started  and  begin  your  shooting  early  in  the  morning,  and 
at  sunset  in  the  afternoon  is  late  enough  to  continue  it.  It 
makes  birds  very  wild  to  shoot  at  later  hours,  besides  being 
12 


90      PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

a  certain  plan  to  make  them  change  their  haunts.  Late  in 
the  season,  when  birds  are  wild,  be  always  on  your  guard, 
and  always  ready  to  fire,  and  in  shooting  double  shots  be 
quick  in  making  your  first  shot.  Killing  double  shots, 
when  birds  are  wild,  requires  quick  action  on  the  part  of 
the  shooter,  and  is  a  test  of  good  marksmanship.  Late 
in  the  season  be  always  ready  to  take  advantage  of  all 
and  every  opportunity  that  oifers  a  chance  to  be  hit.  Use 
your  gun  liberally,  do  not  be  afraid  to  miss  if  you  wish 
to  fill  your  bag,  and  become  a  good  shot.  Many  sports- 
men wait  for  good  opportunities,  and  as  they  are  alwa^^s 
few  and  far  between,  especially  where  birds  are  scarce,  an 
ordinary  shooter  by  firing  oftener,  and  at  doubtful  chan- 
ces, will  sometimes  beat  the  better  shot  who  makes  a 
too  careful  selection.  The  result  of  the  day's  shooting, 
when  all  is  equal,  will  always  be  in  favor  of  the  man  who 
shoots  at  all  and  every  bird  that  offers  a  chance  to  be 
killed.  Late  in  the  season,  in  the  month  of  December, 
when  the  birds  have  become  strong  and  wild,  every  bird 
is  on  the  lookout  on  the  approach  of  a  sportsman,  or  his 
dog.  Then,  according  to  my  idea,  the  sport  of  shooting 
Partridges  is  sport  indeed,  and  a  bag  of  birds  bagged  in 
this  month,  being  full  grown,  is  worth  almost  two  bags 
bagged  in  the  first  of  the  shooting  season  in  the  month  of 
October.  I  have  often  killed  a  bag  of  birds  along  the 
Monocacy  and  Potomac  bottoms,  in  Maryland,  in  the 
month  of  December,  that  would  average  eight  ounces  for 
each  bird. 


HUNTING.  91 


HUNTING. 

JNLESS  you  understand  thoroughly  the  art  of  search- 
ing for  game,  you  need  not  expect  to  make  a  heavy 
bag.  You  should  know  something  of  the  ways, 
haunts,  and  habits  of  the  game  you  are  in  pursuit  of, 
and  their  haunts,  and  habits  on  different  days,  according  to 
the  state  of  the  weather,  and  at  different  times  in  the  day, 
and  you  should  be  able  to  judge  from  your  own  knowledge 
of  their  habits  where  to  find  them  after  they  have  been 
once  disturbed.  When  hunting  certain  classes  of  game  you 
should  be  quiet,  and  your  tread  should  be  as  noiseless  as 
possible,  especially  when  approaching  close  to  the  where- 
abouts of  the  object  of  your  search.  Loud  talking,  whist- 
ling for  your  dog,  hallooing  for  your  companion,  treading 
upon  sticks  and  bushes,  dragging  the  feet  along  the  ground, 
instead  of  raising  them  up,  all  have  a  tendency  to  frighten 
the  game,  and  are  fatal  to  any  attempts  to  approach  close 
to  them.  Young  sportsmen  should  remember  that  silence, 
when  hunting  for  some  varieties  of  game,  is  as  essential  for 
the  success  of  the  sportsman  as  stealthiness  and  cunning- 
are  for  the  fox  in  pursuing  his  prey.  Some  sportsmen  get 
into  the  habit  of  talking  aloud  to  their  companions,  others 
are  constantly  bawling  after  their  dogs.  The  successful 
sportsman  is  watchful  and  silent,  his  tread  is  light  and  noise- 
less, and  there  are  times  when  he  directs  his  companion  by 
the  motion  of  the  hand,  or  by  a  point  of  the  finger,  or  by 
a  shake  or  nod  of  the  head ;  and  the  dog  is  directed  in  si- 
lence, by  the  wave  of  the  hand,  or  made  to  stop  by  squat- 
ting, or  by  an  angry  shake  of  the  head,  or  by  an  ugly  look, 
or  by  the  click  of  the  hammer,  or  by  pointing  the  gun,  and 
other  such  quiet,  noiseless  signals. 


92      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


HUNTING  PAETEIDGES. 

lip^HEN  hunting  Partridges  always  try  and  find  your 

mlM  birds  early  in  the  morning.     The  birds  are  not  apt 

to  fly  as  far  as  when  the  day  is  farther  advanced,  and 

^^  you  will  be  fresh  and  not  fatigued,  and  you  will  be 
able  to  kill  more  than  if  tired  and  worried,  as  you  would  be 
late  in  the  day  after  a  long  tramp.  Always  hunt  your 
grounds  very  closely,  search  them  well,  and  do  not  be 
in  too  much  of  a  hurry  to  get  over  the  ground.  This  is 
a  great  mistake  with  many  sportsmen.  They  run  over 
the  ground  too  fast  entirely.  They  do  not  hunt  slow 
enough,  and  they  do  not  give  the  dog  sufficient  time  to  find 
the  birds.  Partridges  sometimes  are  huddled  together,  and 
they  lay  very  close,  and  they  give  out  in  this  way  but  little 
scent,  and  unless  the  dog  runs  close  to  them  he  will  not  find 
them,  and  to  walk  hurriedlj^  over  the  ground  does  not  give 
the  dog  sufficient  time  to  search  the  ground  closely.  And 
if  the  birds  are  huddled  together  in  long  grass,  or  in  some 
grassy  knoll,  or  hollow,  in  close  cover,  giving  out  but  little 
scent,  the  dog  will  not  be  apt  to  find  them.  But  by  going 
over  the  ground  slowly,  and  by  giving  the  dog  plenty  of 
time  to  search  the  grounds  properly,  the  birds  will  most 
generally  be  come  upon  by  the  dog,  and  perhaps  be  pointed 
within  twelve  inches  of  his  nose.  A  covey  of  birds  some- 
times, that  lie  very  close  in  this  way,  is  worth  two  or  three 
coveys  that  flushes  wild.  Whenever  you  flush  up  a  covey 
of  Partridges^  especially  when  birds  are  scarce,  do  not  be 
too  anxious  to  find  another,  but  stick  to  them  as  long  as 
there  is  a  chance  left  to  get  one  up.  "A  bird  in  the  hand 
is  worth  two  in  the  bush."  And  in  the  course  of  the  day's 
hunt  to  adhere  to  this  rule  will  add  to  your  success  won- 
derfully.    The  better  you  know  the  ground,  in  any  particu- 


HUNTING  PARTRIDGES.  93 

lar  locality,  the  more  it  will  be  to  your  advantage,  and  the 
better  you  will  know  how  to  arrange  your  hunt.  When 
the  season  is  advanced,  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  look 
well  to  the  sides  of  the  meadows  and  grass  lands,  also  the 
old  fallow  fields,  on  coming  across  them,  especiall}^  if  there 
is  a  stream  of  water  running  in  the  locality.  These  are 
the  places  in  which  you  may  often  find  birds  about  midday, 
and  are  thought  by  most  sportsmen  to  be  the  most  im- 
probable places  to  find  them,  and  they  seldom  pass  through 
them,  but  generally  pass  by  without  even  letting  the  dog 
range  over  them.  Both  sportsman  and  dog  think  these 
places  the  most  unlikely  of  all  others  for  birds  to  frequent ; 
whereas,  sometimes,  of  all  others,  they  are  the  most  likely. 
Partridges  very  often  resort  to  the  old  fallow  fields  to  pick, 
scratch,  and  dust  themselves,  and  to  remain  quiet  for  an 
hour  or  two,  as  these  fields,  of  all  others,  are  the  most  quiet, 
there  being  seldom  any  hands  there  to  disturb  them,  and 
instead  of  the  sportsman  passing  around  the  old  fallow 
fields,  scarcely  giving  them  a  glance,  let  him  and  his  dog 
hunt  them  as  well  as  the  stubble  fields.  On  cold  days 
birds  are  often  found  in  the  meadows  and  grass  lands,  and, 
on  coming  across  them,  you  should  always  allow  your  dog 
to  range  over  them.  Partridges,  as  a  general  thing,  lie  very 
close  in  a  meadow,  or  high  grass  land,  and  on  finding  them 
you  will  have  a  good  chance  of  filling  your  bag.  They 
seldom  get  up  wild,  but  on  the  contrary  lie  very  close  and 
often  times  will  allow  you  to  kick  them  up.  This  makes 
beautiful  sport,  and  I  have  often  killed  every  bird  in  the 
covey  when  found  in  such  localities,  though  I  have  often 
taken  pity  on  them,  and  left  part  of  the  covey  remain, 
when  I  knew  I  had  them  at  my  mercy.  Partridges  that 
are  wild  from  frequent  flushing  are  hard  to  kill,  and  they 
must  be  marked  down  very  accurately,  and  if  they  have 
been  much  disturbed  they  make  long  flights  and  settle, 
and  hide  sometimes  in  unaccountable  places.  After  hav- 
ing been  flushed  and  shot  at,  and  made  very  wild,  they 
fly  sometimes  and  alight  into  very  bare  places.  It  is 
not   an   uncommon  occurrence  for  them  to  alight,  when 


94      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

very  much  frightened,  in  open  roads,  in  ploughed  fields,  and 
in  open  spaces  entirely  destitute  of  vegetation.  When  you 
have  them  scattered  be  always  on  your  guard,  and  always 
ready  to  fire,  for  where  you  least  expect  to  find  them  often- 
times one  may  spring.  Whenever  you  mark  a  Partridge 
down,  search  for  it,  and  always  try  and  find  it ;  this  will 
give  your  dog  confidence  in  you,  and  by  pursuing  this  plan 
you  will  get  more  birds  in  the  end.  When  hunting  Par- 
tridges, if  possible,  always  give  the  dog  the  benefit  of  the 
wind,  by  walking  the  field  up  wind,  or  side  wind.  In  wet 
and  foggy  weather  search  your  grounds  well,  or  the  birds 
will  not  be  found ;  because  the  scent  becomes  partially  de- 
stroyed by  water  dropping  on  their  trail.  In  hunting  the 
ground  always  prefer  to  hunt  the  sides  of  the  fields  in  pre- 
ference to  the  middle,  especially  if  the  fields  are  large. 
Partridges  are  more  apt  to  feed  along  the  sides  of  fields 
than  they  are  in  the  middle,  especially  when  the  fields  are 
bounded  by  wood  or  thicket.  Always  flush  the  birds 
yourself,  and  never  allow  your  dog  to  do  it,  unless  he  is 
properly  broken,  and  mark  the  birds  down,  and  follow  im- 
mediately on  after  them,  as  soon  as  the  gun  is  recharged. 
During  the  first  of  the  season,  when  the  weather  is  warm, 
always  arrange  your  hunt  so  as  to  be  near  water,  for  the 
benefit  of  your  dog.  A  dog  suffers  terribly  on  a  warm  day 
from  running,  especially  a  long  haired  setter,  and,  if  in  a 
country  where  there  is  a  scarcity  of  water,  the  dog  will 
become  worried,  fatigued,  and  heated,  and  will  give  out, 
and  will  be  worth  to  you  scarcely  anything.  But  if  water 
is  near  so  that  he  can  quench  his  thirst,  and  run  into  it 
and  cool  himself,  he  will  hunt  vigorously  through  the  whole 
day.  Never  abandon  a  wounded  bird  which  you  have  once 
marked  down,  until  after  the  most  diligent  search.  Hunt 
the  dog  closely  about  the  spot,  kick  the  high  tufts  of  grass, 
and  part  with  your  foot  the  matted  clumps,  and  kick 
the  brushwood,  and  jump  on  the  brush  piles,  if  there  be 
any,  and,  by  a  little  searching  and  patience,  you  will  often 
get  many  wounded  and  broken  winged  birds,  which  your 
companions,  by  being  in  too  much  of  a  hurry,  would  miss. 


HUNTING  PARTRIDGES.  95 

It  is  by  such  manoeuvres  as  these  that  the  old  sportsman 
fills  his  game  bag.  The  oftener  a  Partridge  is  flushed,  the 
less  will  be  your  chance  of  bagging  it,  unless  accurately 
marked  down,  because  it  becomes  more  and  more  fright- 
ened, and  takes  longer  flights  than  when  first  flushed,  and 
hides  in  more  out  of  the  way  places.  An  exception  to  this 
rule  is  that  of  the  Pheasant  (Bonesa  umbellus),  which,  by 
being  flushed  several  times  in  succession,  loses  its  courage, 
and  becomes  less  capable  to  elude  its  pursuers.  To  mark 
Partridges  down  accurately  it  requires  experience,  and  a 
practiced  eye.  Without  possessing  these  qualities  you  will 
be  invariably  mistaken,  A  good  rule  for  marking  a  Part- 
ridge down  is  to  watch  the  bird  very  narrowly  in  its  line  of 
flight,  and  when  you  lose  sight  of  it  in  the  distance,  or  in 
the  covert,  keep  your  eye  on  its  line  of  flight,  and  far  in 
the  advance.  Very  often  when  coming  down  it  will  show 
itself  by  a  flap  of  its  wings,  or  in  some  other  way  long 
after  you  have  lost  sight  of  it.  But  as  a  rule  never  believe 
a  Partridge  to  be  down,  no  matter  how  low  you  may  have 
seen  it  flying  over  a  particular  point  or  knoll,  or  how  low 
you  may  have  seen  it  sail,  and  scud  close  to  the  ground, 
for  if  you  have  seen  a  flap  of  its  wings  while  scudding  low 
at  a  particular  spot,  be  not  sure  it  is  down,  but  when  you 
see  it  hit  the  cover  it  is  down  then,  you  can  be  sure.  When 
the  weather  is  fair  and  dry  hunt  until  about  ten  or  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  morning  the  wheat  stubbles  and  corn  fields. 
From  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  until  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  hunt  out  the  thickets,  and 
clumps  of  bushes  and  wood,  and  look  well  to  the  edges  of 
clearings,  swamps,  and  brakes,  and  to.  the  bushy  sides  of 
fence  rows,  ditches,  and  creek  banks.  In  the  afternoon, 
from  about  three  o'clock  until  sunset,  should  the  weather 
prove  fair  and  dry,  return  again  to  the  wheat  stubbles  and 
corn  fields  until  dark ;  it  will  be  here  you  will  make  your 
best  bag.  On  wet  and  foggy  days,  instead  of  hunting 
where  the  ground  lies  the  lowest  in  marshes  and  in 
swamps,  and  in  thick  cover,  tiring  yourself  and  dog,  go  in 
thin  open  cover,  where  the  ground  lies  the  highest,  and 


96      FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

hunt  out  the  wood  patches,  and  the  driest  places  you  can 
find  on  high  ground.  In  cold  and  windy  weather,  instead 
of  hunting  the  bleak  high  ground,  in  thin  open  cover,  go 
in  thick  cover,  in  swamps,  briars,  and  grass  patches,  and 
in  warm  southern  exposed  hillsides,  and  in  hollows  where 
the  rag-weed  stands  the  highest.  It  will  be  here  you  will 
meet  with  the  best  success.  In  dry,  hot  weather,  cease 
hunting  the  dry  open  wheat  stubbles,  tiring  your  dog  and 
exhausting  yourself,  but  go  where  the  ground  lies  the  low- 
est— in  swamps,  marshes,  and  along  'creeks  and  ditches 
which  are  grown  up  with  weeds,  grass  and  bushes,  in  moist 
and  cool  places.  If  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow 
abandon  entirely  the  open  fields,'and  go  into  woods,  thick- 
ets, swamps,  clearings,  second  growth  wood  and  briary 
wood  skirts,  and  hunt  out  the  briar  patches  and  high 
weeds  and  brush  piles,  in  the  corners  of  the  fields  and  worm 
fences,  and  look  well  to  creek  banks  where  there  are 
patches  of  bare  ground,  and  southernly  grown  up  hill  sides, 
and  thick  sedge  grass  cover;  here  you  will  stand  the  best 
ohance  of  finding  your  game. 


FIRING  INTO  COVIES.  97 


FIEING  INTO  COYIES. 

GREAT  many  sportsmen  when  firing  into  a  covey 
of  Partridges  on  the  wing  fail  to  hit.  They  bang 
away  in  a  hurry  into  the  whirring  crowd  expecting 
to  kill  about  a  dozen,  more  or  less,  and  become  aston. 
ished  when  they  see  the  whole  covey  fly  away  untouched, 
notwithstanding  both  barrels  have  been  fired  into  it.  The 
reason  they  fail  to  hit  is  easily  accounted  for,  they  fire  too 
much  in  a  hurry,  and  too  soon,  and  without  any  aim,  and 
of  course  they  fail  to  hit.  The  shot  does  not  have  time  and 
distance  enough  to  scatter  properly,  and  they  cover  so  small 
a  space  in  their  flight,  and  without  being  particularly  direc- 
ted, the  chances  are  three  to  one  they  will  pass  through  the 
whirring  crowd  without  hitting  any.  As  a  rule  never  fire 
into  a  "covey  of  Partridges  on  the  wing  unless  you  have  aim 
on  one  particular  bird  of  the  covey;  on  it  draw  the  trig- 
ger. Without  selecting  one  particular  bird  in  the  covey  to 
fire  at  the  chances  are  three  to  one  against  killing  any 
out  of  a  covey  of  twelve  or  fiteen  birds,  unless  they  should 
happen  to  rise  up  in  a  mass,  which  is  but  seldom.  When 
you  flush  up  a  covey  of  Partridges,  keep  yourself  cool  and 
calm,  pitch  the  gun  quickly  to  your  shoulder,  and  single 
out  one  particular  bird  of  the  covey,  on  it  draw  the  trigger, 
then  on  another,  and  be  sure  not  to  draw  the  trigger  upon 
either  of  them  unless  your  aim  is  perfect,  then  fire.  When 
a  covey  of  Partridges  rises  in  front  of  you  be  quick  in  mak- 
ing your  first  shot,  kill  the  first  bird  that  rises,  or  one  of 
the  first,  you  will  then  have  time  to  choose  the  second  shot. 
When  you  have  selected  the  first  bird  as  the  object  of  your 
aim  you  should  keep  your  eye  upon  it  though  twenty  others 
should  rise  up  in  front,  and  cross  you.  Do  not  let  your 
attention  be  drawn  from  the  bird  you  have  selected  until 
13 


98      PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

you  draw  the  trigger,  and  at  the  instant  you  draw  the 
trigger  of  the  first  barrel,  and  the  bird  falls  to  the  first  fire, 
fix  your  eye  on  another  bird,  one  that  is  last  up,  and,  with 
the  same  deliberation  and  calmness  on  it,  draw.  This  is 
the  only  way  to  kill  two  birds  out  of  a  covey,  on  the  wing, 
with  certainty. 


SCATTERING  A  COVEY.  99 


SCATTERING  A  COYEY. 

to  know  how  to  scatter  a  covey  of  Partridges,  to  make 
a  good  bag,  where  game  is  scarce,  is  known  by  few 
^^^    sportsmen.     One  of  the  secrets  of  success  is  to  flush 
W^    the  birds  up  and  mark  them  all  down  carefully,  and 
then  flush  them  up  singly.    The  way  a  covey  may  be  flushed 
to  make  a  good  bag  is  this :    When  the  dog  points  do  not 
walk  around  in  front  of  him,  if  you  do  the  birds  lying 
between  you  and  your  dog,  when  they  rise,  will  fly,  some 
in  one  direction  and  some  in  another,  and  almost  every  bird 
in  the  covey  will  take  a  difterent  route,  especially  if  the 
birds  are  wild,  and  it  would  be  impossible  for  you  to  mark 
them  all  down  on  account  of  their  being  too  widely  separa- 
ted ;  but  on  the  contrary  advance  directly  behind  the  dog, 
and  flush  the  birds.     In  this  way,  when  a  covey  is  flushed, 
the  birds  will  most  always  rise  and  fly  off  all  in  one  direction. 
Then  you  can  mark  them  all  down,  and  you  can  follow  on 
after  them  as  soon  as  the  gun  is  recharged.     Now,  having 
succeeded  in  flushing  the  covey  up,  and  driving  the  birds  all 
in  one  direction,  and  in  marking  them  all  down,  keep  your 
dog  behind  you,  and  advance  with  a  slow  and  cautious  step 
to  the  spot  where  you  saw  them  settle.     Now  be  careful, 
and  keep  cool,  command  your  nerves,  and  take  good  aim. 
Walk  up  one  bird,  fire  at  it ;  if  you  miss  it  watch  it  and  mark 
it  down;  if  you  kill  it  let  it  lie  at  present,  don't  speak  a  word, 
or  move  a  step,  keep  3'Our  dog  still,  and  charge  your  gun 
with  all  possible  haste,  as  another  shot  will  almost  imme- 
diately follow;  as  one  or  two  of  the  covey  will  rise,  down 
with  them,  and  load  as  quickly  as  before;  advance  slowly  and 
cautiously,  step  by  step,  and  bag  your  game.     Be  on  the 
alert  for  a  shot,  right,  straight,  or  left,  and  so,  one  by  one, 
get  the  whole  covey  up  at  intervals,  and  those  that  get 


100     PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

away  mark  them  carefully  down,  they  will  fly  but  a  short 
distance,  and  you  will  have  them  presently.  After  having 
flushed  up  all  the  birds  in  the  covey  let  your  dog  out,  and 
hunt  up  those  that  have  escaped.  Advance  to  the  spot 
where  you  have  seen  them  alight,  hunt  the  dog  close  around 
the  spot;  he  will  soon  find  them,  then  flush  them  up  singly, 
take  good  aim,  and  shoot  them  down.  If  you  should  hap- 
pen to  miss  one  or  two,  mark  them  down  carefully,  and 
follow  on  after  them  as  before.  In  this  manner  I  have 
killed  every  bird  in  the  covey.  If  a  covey  is  scattered,  late 
in  the  season,  the  birds  generally  lie  some  hours  in  their 
hiding  places,  but  the}^  will  not  lie  long  the  first  of  the  season, 
and  in  wet  weather  they  lie  only  for  a  short  time,  and  will 
commence  running  after  they  have  set  but  a  few  minutes. 
When  scattered  in  the  middle  of  the  day  they  lie  longer 
than  any  other  time,  especially  if  they  have  chosen  long 
grass  for  their  hiding  place.  If  a  covey  is  scattered  early 
in  the  morning  the  birds  will  be  apt  to  reassemble  in  a  short 
time ;  but  if  scattered  late  in  the  evening  they  will  assur- 
edly reassemble  in  a  short  time,  unless  the  birds  have  been 
separated  very  widely,  and  driven  a  long  distance  off;  they 
will  then  not  reassemble  until  the  next  day.  A  great  deal, 
however,  depends  upon  the  weather  and  the  cover,  and 
whether  the  birds  are  wild  or  tame.  It  is  always  prudent 
to  follow  a  covey  directly  it  is  flushed  up.  Some  covies 
run  the  moment  they  strike  cover,  and  thus  may  be  lost 
altogether.  They  run  very  swiftly  when  frightened,  and 
after  the  lapse  of  a  half  hour  they  may  be  a  half  mile  from 
where  they  alighted. 


WOUNDED  GAME.  101^ 


WOUNDED  GAME. 

JT  is  important  for  the  success  of  the  sportsman  to  have 
perfect  knowledge  of  the  nature  and  habits  of  wounded 
game.  All  game,  when  wounded,  makes  the  utmost  use 
of  their  cunning  and  strategy  in  order  to  evade  being 
captured,  and  unless  the  sportsman  understands  perfectly 
the  nature  and  habits  of  wounded  game,  and  their  devices 
to  evade  being  captured,  many  will  be  lost. 


HOW  TO  BAG  WOUNDED  PAETEIDGES. 

All  wounded  Partridges  should  be  watched  and  marked 
down  very  accurately  at  the  precise  spot  where  they  fall. 
Dead  Partridges  require  equally  as  careful  marking,  be- 
cause they  give  out  but  little  scent,  and  the  dog  oftentimes 
will  not  find  them.  There  are  three  chances  out  of  four 
that  a  Partridge  with  a  wing  broken,  falling  into  high 
standing  corn,  or  into'  a  matted  swamp,  high  rank  weeds, 
or  long  tangled  grass,  will  not  be  bagged  without  the 
assistance  of  a  good  dog  to  trail  and  scent  it  up,  and  find 
it.  I  have  often  seen  a  broken-winged  Partridge  run  di- 
rectly it  hit  the  ground,  and  in  a  few  moments  it 
would  be  a  hundred  yards  from  where  it  fell.  When 
Partridges  are  knocked  down,  and  fall  in  long  grass 
or  thick  cover,  the  eye  should  be  kept  on  the  spot  where 
they  fall.  Mark  the  spot  by  a  long  or  short  tuft  of  grass, 
or  a  particular  weed  or  bush,  and,  if  there  is  no  particular 
object  to  notice,  advance  to  the  spot  where  you  saw  the  bird 
fall,  and  mark  the  spot  by  laying  your  gun,  hat,  or  hand 


102     PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

kerchief  on  the  ground,  call  your  dog  in,  make  him  hunt 
close  around  the  spot,  "cry  dead  bird,"  walk  first  here,  then 
there,  and  diligently  search  around  and  about  the  spot  for 
it  until  it  is  bagged.  By  pursuing  this  plan  you  will  bag 
many  wounded  and  dead  birds  that  j^our  comrade  and  dogs, 
by  being  in  too  much  of  a  hurry  to  give  them  up,  would 
miss.  All  wounded  Partridges  should  be  followed  up  im- 
mediately or  they  will  not  be  found.  After  they  die  they 
give  out  but  little  scent,  and  the  dog  is  not  apt  to  find  them. 
If  a  Partridge  jerks  at  the  moment  of  being  fired  at  you 
can  be  sure  of  the  bird  being  hit,  and  you  should  watch  it 
in  its  flight,  and  mark  it  down  very  accurately,  and  it  should 
be  searched  for  until  found.  If  a  Partridge  flies  off*  with 
its  legs  hanging  down,  and  pitches  to  and  fro  immediately 
after  being  fired  at,  you  can  be  sure  the  bird  is  hit  in  the 
back  and  mortally  wounded.  It  should  be  watched  very 
narrowly  in  its  line  of  flight,  and  the  spot  where  it  falls 
should  be  marked  to  a  foot,  and  it  should  be  followed  up 
without  delay,  as  you  will  generally  find  it  dead,  and  the 
dog  is  not  apt  to  find  it,  because  it  cannot  move  to  disperse 
the  scent,  and  if  the  dog  should  happen  to  find  it  it  will  be 
only  by  chance.  All  Partridges  from  which  the  feathers 
fly,  or  which  exhibit  any  symptoms  of  being  hit  immedi- 
ately after  being  fired  at  should  be  narrowly  marked  down. 
Four  Partridges  out  of  five  that  fly  away  mortally  wounded, 
especially  if  their  legs  are  hanging  down,  fall  within  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  spot  where  fired  at,  and  the 
sportsman  who  wishes  to  recover  his  wounded  birds  should 
be  particular  in  marking  them  accurately  down.  A  poin- 
ter or  setter,  one  that  understands  his  business,  that  will 
search  for,  and  hunt  and  trail  up,  and  is  good  at  finding 
broken  wing  and  dead  birds,  is  indeed,  in  my  o^Dinion,  an 
indispensable  and  valuable  dog  to  a  sportsman,  for  unless 
you  have  the  assistance  of  a  dog,  and  one  that  understands 
his  business,  to  find  dead  birds,  and  trail  up  wounded  ones, 
many  dead  birds  will  be  lost,  and  many  broken-wing  birds 
will  get  away  and  will  not  be  bagged. 


TOWERING  OF  A  PARTRIDGE.  103 


TOWEEING  OF  A  PAETEIBGE. 

tOWEEING  is  the  last  movement  in  the  death  strug- 
gle of  a  wounded  Partridge  when  hit  in  the  head. 
^^  ,The  towering  of  a  Partridge  is  curious,  beautiful,  and 
^  interesting  to  behold,  and  is  indeed  a  very  singular 
phenomenon.  It  frequently  occurs  in  this  way :  The  Par- 
tridge after  being  hit  ilies  oif  in  a  straight  line  some  dis- 
tance, and  then,  by  a  peculiar  flutter  of  the  wings,  rises  up 
into  the  air  in  a  straight  line  with  its  head  pointed  up- 
wards, when,  being  dead,  it  falls  with  closed  wings  to  the 
ground.  Towering  is  the  last  effort  of  a  Partridge  mor- 
tally wounded  in  this  manner,  gasping  for  life,  after  which 
it  falls,  with  closed  wings,  to  the  ground  dead  as  a  rock. 
I  have  hit  Partridges  with  one  pellet  of  shot  in  the  eyes, 
and  blinded  them.  I  have  seen  them  rise  into  the  air  and 
hover,  and  twist,  and  soar  to  a  great  height  and  then  fall 
to  the  ground,  very  often  head  foremost,  always  with  wings 
extended.  In  the  same  manner  I  have  seen  Partridges  rise 
into  the  air,  and  hover  and  twist,  to  great  height,  when  hit 
by  a  shot  in  the  beak,  which  carried  it  off  close  to  the  head. 
I  have  often  seen  Partridges  hit  in  this  way  fall  to  the 
ground,  get  up  and  fly  away  again.  This  is  not  towering 
strictly  speaking.  When  a  Partridge  towers  it  falls  to  the 
ground  with  wings  closed,  perfectly  dead,  and  you  will  gen- 
erally find  it  lying  on  its  back.  When  a  Partridge  is  hit 
in  the  eyes  or  beak,  and  comes  down  with  wings  extended, 
it  has  not  fallen  dead.  This  is  mock  towering  of  a  wounded 
Partridge,  and  a  sportsman  who  has  once  witnessed  the  fall 
of  a  towering  Partridge  will  know  the  difference.  I  have 
often  hit  Partridges  with  one  pellet  of  shot  in  the  eyes, 
sometimes  partially,  often  entirely  blinding  them;  they 
would  fly  around  and  around  in  a  circle,  apparently  in  great 


104    FRANK  SOHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

agony ;  would  often  come  directly  towards  me,  bleeding  from 
the  eyes,  and  be  captured,  a  single  shot  having  hit  them  in 
one  or  both  eyes,  going  through  and  blinding  them.  Tow- 
ering Partridges  should  be  marked  down  very  accurately, 
if  not  they  will  not  be  found,  as  the  distance  between  is 
very  deceptive ;  they  give  out  but  little  scent,  and  unless 
the  dog  gets  his  nose  right  on  them  he  will  not  find  them. 
But  I  have  often  noticed  on  finding  these  birds  that  they 
were  not  as  far  off  as  they  seemed  to  be  when  first  marked 
down.  When  a  wounded  Partridge  mock  towers,  and 
comes  down  with  wings  extended,  you  should  approach 
with  due  caution  to  bag  it ;  the  bird  not  being  dead  will 
often  rise  and  fly  away  when  you  are  in  the  act  of  picking 
it  up,  and  even  when  in  your  hand. 


THE  SPORTSMAN  WHO  NEVER  FAILS  TO  HIT.  '    105 


THE  SPOETSMAN  WHO  NEYEE  FAILS  TO  HIT. 

HAVE  heard  of  sportsmen  shooting  who  never  failed 
to  hit,  but  I  must  confess  I  have  never  seen  such  a 
sportsman.     I  have  shot   with  sportsmen   who   had 
the  reputation  of  killing  twenty-five  Partridges  out 
of  twenty-five   shots,  it   made   no   difference   where  the 
birds  were  found,  and  with  others  who  had  killed  every 
bird  that  would  rise.     I  have  shot  with  some  who  had 
the  reputation  of  killing  every  time  they  would  fire,  and 
again  with   those   who  have   said  they  could   kill  nine 
Partridges  out  of  ten  all  daj^  long,  one  day  after  another, 
the  season  through,  in  cover  or  out  of  cover.     I  have  heard 
such  romancing  a  thousand  times,  and  I  have  always  found, 
when  the  experiment  was  tested  by  actual  experience  in  the 
field,  that  the  sportsman  who  had  the  reputation  of  never 
failing  to  hit  a  bird  was  always  a  slow,  miserable,  poking 
shot.     Where  he  would  kill  one  bird,  a  good,  quick,  expert 
sportsman  would  kill  and  bag  a  half  dozen  in  the  same 
time.     It  is  impossible  to  kill  every  Partridge  you  fire  at. 
Some  times  the  shot  spreads  widely  and  the  bird  escapes 
being  hit,  it  matters  not  how  perfect  your  aim  may  be.     At 
other  times  you  may  have  perfect  aim,  and  by  a  slip,  or  a 
stumble,  or  by  the  sun  getting  in  your  eyes,  or  a  bush  or  a 
tree  intervening,  or  the  bird  darting  or  turning  off  just  at 
the  moment  of  drawing  the  trigger,  you  may  miss.     When- 
ever you  hear  of  a  sportsman  who  can  kill  twenty-five 
Partridges  out  of  twenty-five  shots,  and  can  kill  such  a 
number  without  missing,  and  he  can  prove  it  by  some  of 
his  sporting  friends,  you  can  rest  assured  that,  if  he  is  tell- 
ing the  truth,  the  way  it  is  done  is  by  picking  out  in  the 
open  fields  all  the  slow  flying,  eas}^,  and  certain  shots,  and 
refusing  to  fire  upon  all  birds  that  he  is  uncertain  of  kill- 
14 


106    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

ing.  It  is  the  difficult  and  uncertain  shots  that  try  the  skill 
of  the  sportsman,  and  it  is  these  shots  particularly  that  a 
good  sportsman  loves  to  make  successfully.  One  difficult, 
cramped,  and  uncertain  shot,  at  long  range,  that  brings 
down  the  game,  gives  more  real  enjoyment  and  pleasure  to 
a  good  shot  than  forty  slow-flying  certain  ones,  because  it 
tasks  his  skill  to  the  utmost  to  bring  the  bird  down.  It  is 
the  number  of  doubtful,  difficult,  cramped,  and  uncertain 
shots  by  which  a  sportsman  kills  game  in  a  day's  hunt  that 
makes  him  superior  in  skill  to  the  man  who  refuses  to  fire 
except  when  an  easy,  certain  chance  offers  at  short  range. 
The  sportsman  who  takes  every  chance  when  in  the  field, 
or  in  the  thicket,  or  wood,  and  fires  whenever  a  bird  offers 
a  chance  to  be  hit,  if  he  kills  three  birds  out  of  five,  day 
in  and  day  out,  is  doing  excellent  shooting,  and  where  one 
sportsman  comes  up  to  this  standard  of  shooting  you  will 
find  five  hundred  that  will  not.  A  good  shot  can  go  out  in 
the  open  fields  the  first  of  the  shooting  season,  when  the 
birds  are  young  and  tame  and  fly  very  slowly,  and  by  pick- 
ing out  his  birds  to  shoot  at,  he  can  kill,  if  birds  are  plenty, 
a  large  number  in  a  day's  hunt,  and  by  only  shooting  easy 
and  certain  shots  at  short  range,  and  refusing  all  long  range 
and  difficult  ones,  he  can  kill  in  this  way  a  good  number 
of  birds  before  he  misses.  But  late  in  the  season,  in  De- 
cember, when  the  birds  are  strong  and  wild,  and  fly  like 
bullets,  it  takes  a  good,  quick  shot  to  bring  them  down.  I 
have  yet  to  see  the  sportsman  who  can,  at  this  advanced 
period  of  the  season,  kill  every  bird  he  fires  at,  whether  he 
picks  his  shots  or  not.  It  is  not  the  sportsman  who  kills 
the  greatest  number  of  birds  without  missing,  in  a  day's 
hunt,  that  is  the  best  marksman,  but  the  sportsman  that 
kills  the  greatest  number  of  birds,  or  bags  the  most  game, 
ill  the  day's  shooting.  I  have  seen  sportsmen,  when  in  the 
field,  who  had  the  reputation  of  being  expert  marksmen, 
and  men  that  never  failed  to  hit,  and  in  order  to  sustain  this 
character  would  manufacture  all  kind  of  excuses  for  not 
shooting  at  birds  that  offered  the  fairest  mark.  Being  afraid 
of  missing  they  would  go  poking  about,  aiming  at  every 


THE  SPORTSMAN  WHO  NEVER  PAILS  TO  HIT.  107 

bird  that  would  rise,  and  dwell  on  the  bird  in  its  line  of 
flight,  and  then,  perhaps,  would  not  fire,  "it  being  a  beau- 
tiful mark  too."  And  the  whole  day  would  be  spent  in  this 
manner,  in  poking  and  sighting  at  birds  in  order  to  fire  six  or 
seven  certain  shots  where  there  was  no  possible  chance  of 
missing,  and  keeping  a  correct  account  how  many  times 
they  would  fire,  so  that  they  could  tell  their  friends  that 
they  had  been  out  shooting  and  had  killed  every  bird  they 
had  fired  at.  All  such  shooting  is  too  tame  to  talk  about. 
In  order  to  sustain  a  reputation  as  the  sportsman  who  never 
fails  to  hit,  you  must  fire  upon  all  Partridges  that  offer  a 
chance  to  be  killed,  in  bush  or  out  of  bush,  the  difficult, 
cramped,  and  uncertain  shots,  as  well  as  the  easy,  certain 
ones,  at  long  as  well  as  short  ran  ge. 


108     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  EXCITABLE  SPOETSMAN. 

[Some  sportsTnen,  when  shooting,  are  subject  to  ungov- 
ernable excitement,  and  all  they  can  do  to  restrain 
this  feeling,  at  the  time,  seems  to  serve  only  to  in. 
crease  it,  and  they  find  it  impossible  to  become  cool 
and  calm.  Therefore,  it  is  a  great  drawback,  and  prevents 
them  from  becoming  accurate  marksmen — (sportsmen  who 
are  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  inflicted  in  this  way.)  It  will 
depend  altogether  upon  the  state  of  his  mind  or  nerves  as  to 
whether  the  sportsman  will  shoot  well  or  ill.  If  he  shoots 
well  it  will  be  at  the  time  when  he  has  the  least  anxiety  about 
killing  his  game,  or  when  he  is  most  successful  in  his  shoot- 
ing. One  or  two  clean  misses,  or  unsuccessful  shots,  or 
balks  in  the  morning,  will  generally  upset  the  whole  day's 
shooting  with  him.  He  will  become  over-anxious  to  kill, 
and  over-anxiousness  will  bring  on  nervousness,  and  over- 
whelmed with  excitement  his  nerves  will  become  unstrung, 
and  under  these  circumstances  he  will  be  likely  to  continue 
to  shoot  badly  the  balance  of  the  day.  But  should  the  ex- 
citable sportsman  be  successful  in  the  morning,  and  kill, 
clean,  two  or  three  birds,  or  bring  down  a  doubtful  shot, 
this  will  give  him  confidence,  and  he  will  continue  to  shoot 
good  the  whole  day,  or  at  any  rate  so  long  as  everything 
goes  evenly  and  smoothly  with  him.  But  if  the  least  tri- 
fling circumstance  should  change  the  case,  or  make  it  other- 
wise, it  will  cause  him  to  shoot  badly,  or  at  all  events  very 
uncertainly.  An  excitable  sportsman  is  very  precarious  in 
his  shooting.  When  a  covey  springs  suddenly  the  noise  or 
whirr  of  the  birds'  wings  throws  him  off*  his  guard.  He 
excitedly  pitches  the  gun  up,  and  in  a  flash  blazes  away,  in 
a  hurry,  without  taking  any  aim.  When  walking  up  to  a 
dog  that  is  pointing  a  covey,  where  the  birds  are  all  scat- 


THE  EXCITABLE   SPORTSMAN.  109 

tered  around,  he  gets  into  a  nervous  trepidation,  and  when 
the  covey  springs  he  fires  away  with  an  uncertain  aim,  and 
shoots  altogether  differently  from  a  man  who  is  perfectly 
collected  and  cool.  To  remedy  this  excitement  when  shoot- 
ing at  a  covey,  or  walking  up  to  a  dog  when  he  is  point- 
ing, the  excitable  sportsman  must  learn  to  regulate  himself. 
He  must  practice  coolness,  and  must  learn  calmness.  He 
should  make  it  his  duty  to  master  his  feelings  and  become 
less  anxious,  and  not  care  so  much  about  killing  his  game. 
If  he  makes  these  things  his  study  he  will  accomplish  much 
towards  making  himself  a  cool,  accurate  marksman.  I 
have  seen  sportsmen  who,  when  the  dog  would  point  a 
covey,  became  so  excited  and  nervous  that  the  whole  frame 
would  shake  as  if  with  an  ague,  and  I  have  seen  others  who, 
when  a  Partridge  would  rise  suddenly  from  under  their  feet, 
would  be  so  frightened  by  the  noise  that  they  would  fire 
before  the  gun  would  be  to  the  shoulder.  I  have  seen  others 
again,  when  a  hare  would  bounce  up  unexpectedly  from  out 
of  the  grass,  stand  and  gaze  at  the  hare  as  it  was  bounding 
off  until  its  form  melted  in  the  distance,  or  disappeared  in 
the  cover,  and  forget  they  had  a  killing  piece  of  machinery 
in  their  hands.  I  have  seen  others  who,  when  a  bird  would 
be  advancing  toward  them,  would  fire  before  the  bird  would 
get  within  killing  distance  of  the  gun.  I  have  also  seen 
others  who,  when  they  were  taking  aim,  became  so  excited 
that  their  limbs  would  shake  so  violently  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  them  to  hold  the  gun  steady.  Some  I  have 
seen  completely  paralyzed  for  a  moment  when  the  game 
would  spring,  and  they  would  stand  and  look  at  the  game 
going  off  without  firing  at  it.  Again,  I  have  witnessed 
others  sneaking  cautiously  up  to  the  game,  so  as  to  get  a 
close  shot,  whose  hearts  would  beat  so  rapidly  that,  after 
they  had  fired,  on  asking  them  a  question,  it  would  be  im- 
possible for  them,  for  want  of  breath,  to  answer  it;  and 
others  I  have  seen  chase  game,  which  they  had  wounded 
with  one  barrel,  until  they  were  nearly  exhausted,  and 
then  let  the  game  escape,  and  forget  the  other  barrel  of  the 
gun  was  charged.     I  have  seen  sportsmen  so  nervous  and 


110     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

excited,  after  they  had  fired,  that  their  hands  would  shake 
80  violently  that  it  would  be  the  greatest  difficulty  for  them, 
at  the  moment,  to  charge  the  gun  again — all  because  of 
their  excitement.  An  excitable  sportsman  shoots  best 
when  he  is  alone  ;  in  the  presence  of  others  he  generally 
shoots  badly,  being  too  anxious,  and  afraid  of  missing  or 
of  losing  his  reputation  by  being  beaten.  An  excitable 
sportsman  will  generally  shoot  diiferently  every  day,  accord- 
ing to  the  equilibrium  of  his  nerves.  He  may  go  out  one 
day  and  shoot  exceedingly  well,  the  next  day  he  may  go 
out  and  shoot  miserably ;  the  least  excitement  or  annoy- 
ance will  upset  his  nerves  at  any  time,  and  consequently 
his  shooting  will  vary  accordingly.  My  advice  to  all  ex- 
citable sportsmen  is  to  practice  self  control,  and  learn  to  be 
calm ;  be  less  eager,  master  yourselves  so  as  to  be  able  to  reg- 
ulate your  every  motion  when  in  the  field,  and  when  in  the 
act  of  shooting.  When  this  is  accomplished  you  have 
gained  that  which  all  good  marksmen  possess — a  steady 
hand,  and  firm,  and  quiet  nerve. 


THE   RECKLESS  SPORTSMAN.  Ill 


THE  EECKLESS  SPORTSMAN. 

GUIS'  is  a  very  dangerous  weapon,  even  in  the  hands 
of  the  most  careful  sportsman.  Thousands  of  acci- 
dents have  occurred  by  guns  in  the  hands  of  the 
most  careful  and  experienced  sportsmen,  and  how 
often,  after  they  have  used  every  care  and  precaution  for 
years,  do  we  hear  of  sad  and  melancholy  accidents  occur- 
ring which  destroy  the  peace  and  joy  of  a  whole  family,  by 
the  loss  of  a  father  or  a  brother.  How  often  do  we  hear 
of  a  father  losing  his  arm,  a  brother  his  eye,  or  a  particu- 
lar friend  his  hand  or  finger,  or  being  injured  for  life 
by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  gun  through  reckless- 
ness, or  in  the  hands  of  some  reckless  person.  Such  acci- 
dents frequently  occur  with  guns  in  the  hands  of  the  most 
careful  and  experienced  sportsmen,  and  they  will  certainly 
occur  sooner  or  later  with  reckless  sportsmen.  So  in  hand- 
ling such  a  dangerous  death-dealing  weapon  as  a  gun  you 
cannot  be  too  careful.  When  out  shooting  never  have  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun  pointing  towards  the  person  you  are 
with ;  be  on  your  guard  and  be  watchful  of  this  under  any 
and  all  circumstances,  and  never  have  the  gun  pointing  in 
such  a  direction  that  you  could  possibly  shoot  yourself  un- 
der any  circumstance,  but  always  remember  to  keep  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun  pointing  in  a  direction  that,  if  the  gun 
should  accidentally  go  off,  the  charge  would  be  harmless. 
If  you  are  shooting  a  muzzle  loader,  after  discharging  one 
barrel  of  the  gun,  never  forget  to  throw  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun  downwards,  and  give  it  a  slight  tap  or  so  before  charg- 
ing it  again.  This  will  empty  the  gun  of  any  little  remnant 
that  may  remain  in  the  barrel,  which  sometimes  contains 
a  spark  of  fire,  and  if  the  gun  is  charged,  especially  in  a 
hurry,  without  getting  it  out,   the  spark  will   ignite  the 


112     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

powder,  and  you  may  lose  a  finger,  or  one  or  both  eyes  by 
the  explosion.  On  entering  a  house  with  a  loaded  gun,  if 
it  is  a  breech  loader,  withdraw  the  charges.  If  it  is  a  muz- 
zle loader  always  remove  the  caps  off  of  the  nipples  of  the 
gun,  especially  if  you  set  the  gun  away ;  if  the  caps  are 
not  removed  from  off  of  the  nipples  a  blow  on  them  will 
discharge  the  loads,  and  if  it  is  drawn  towards  a  person,  as 
it  often  will  be  by  thoughtless  people  in  lifting  it,  or  re- 
moving it  from  place  to  place,  it  will  be  likely  to  go  off,  and 
perhaps  cause  a  serious  accident.  The  same  precaution 
should  be  used  when  getting  into  a  vehicle,  and  in  carry- 
ing the  gun  on  long  tramps,  where  it  is  frequently  removed 
from  vehicle  to  shoulder  and  from  shoulder  to  case.  The 
proper  way  is  to  withdraw  the  charges,  or  leave  the  nipples 
without  caps,  and  place  on  the  nipples,  in  place  of  caps, 
cotton  or  tow;  you  can  then  let  the  hammers  down  and  the 
gun  will  be  safe.  Never  put  caps  on  the  nipples  of  a  muzzle 
loader  until  you  have  finished  charging  the  gun.  Never 
toss  the  gun  up  whilst  drawing  the  charge  when  the  gun 
is  capped.  Never  charge  one  barrel  of  the  gun  when  the 
other  is  cocked  and  capped.  When  in  the  field,  and  in  ex- 
pectation of  a  shot,  always  carry  the  gun  with  the  ham- 
mers raised,  so  you  will  be  ready  at  the  instant  for  any 
chance  that  may  offer.  But  on  coming  up  to  a  fence  let 
the  hammers  down,  and  in  getting  over  the  fence  push  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun  in  front  of  you.  Don't  pull  the  gun 
through  the  fence,  or  stick  the  gun  between  the  rails  of  the 
fence,  and  then  get  over.  It  is  better  to  push  the  muzzle 
of  the  gun  in  front  of  you,  and  climb  over  the  top.  In  this 
way  you  will  run  no  risk  of  having  an  accident  by  the 
hammers  catching  in  drawing  the  gun  through.  Many 
sportsmen  have  been  shot  by  pulling  the  gun  reckless!}' 
through  the  fence  instead  of  climbing  over  the  top,  and 
pushing  the  gun  in  front  of  them  when  getting  over. 
When  running  around  making  a  circuit  to  get  a  near  shot, 
or  running  after  or  chasing  wounded  game,  always  remem- 
ber to  keep  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  pointing  upwards,  for  if 
you  should  happen  to  stumble  and  fall  when  running,  and 


THE  RECKLESS  SPORTSMAN.  113 

the  point  of  the  gun  is  downward  the  muzzle  will  be  driven 
into  the  ground,  especially  if  the  ground  is  moist  and  soft, 
and  if  the  gun  goes  off,  or  is  discharged  in  this  situation 
the  barrels  will  be  almost  sure  to  explode,  and  you  may 
lose  your  life  by  the  explosion.     But  if  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun  is  pointed  upward,  there  will  be  no  risk  of  an  explo- 
sion.    When   standing  on  a  fence,  or  walking  a  log,  or 
jumping  a  ditch,  or  getting  in  or  out  of  a  wagon  or  boat, 
or  walking  along  in  a  road  going  or  returning  from  a  hunt, 
when  stopping  at  a  spring  to  drink  or  resting  for  awhile, 
always  have  the  hammer  of  the  gun  down.     Whenever 
you  stop  at  a  spring  to  drink,  or  to  eat  your  lunch,  or  in 
any  manner  rest  for  awhile,  instead  of  standing  the  gun 
up  against  a  bush,  twig  or  tree,  as  all  reckless  sportsmen 
do,  lay  the  gun  down  on  the  ground,  and  you  will  have 
less  chance  of  an  accident.     Should  the  gun  be  standing  up 
it  might  fall  and  strike  the  hammers  and  go  off,  and  per- 
haps shoot  you,  your  friend  or  dog.     When  shooting  in 
swamps,  woods  or  thicket  with  a  companion  never  fire 
upon  a  bird  or  animal,  it  makes  no  difference  how  fair  the 
shot  may  be,  unless  you  are  certain  of  the  whereabouts  of 
the  position  of  your  companion.     You  had  better  let  the 
bird  or  animal  escape  without  firing,  than  to  fire  recklessly 
and  perhaps  hit  your  companion.     In  walking  in  thick 
undergrowth  with  a  friend,  where  it  is  difficult  to  force 
the  way,  and  you  are  compelled  to  walk  on  behind  the 
other,  let  the  foremost  man  hold  the  muzzle  of  his  gun  in 
front,  and  the  rear  man  hold  the  muzzle  of  his  gun  point- 
ing backward,  so  that  if  a  twig  or  bush  should  happen  to 
catch  and  raise  the  hammer,  and  discharge  either  of  the 
guns,  there  will  be  no  damage  done.     The  same  precaution 
should  be  used  in  sneaking  or  crawling  up  to  get  a  close 
shot.     If  one  man  is  behind  the  other  the  foremost  should 
carry  his  gun  with  the  muzzle  pointing  in  front  of  him, 
and  the  rear  man  should  carry  his  gun  with  the  muzzle 
pointing  backwards.     When  in  the  field,  where  the  birds 
are  all  scattered  around,  and  in  expectation  of  a  shot,  the 
gun  should  be  carried  with  the  hammers  raised.    If  the  ham- 
15 


114     FEANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

mers  are  down,  in  the  excitement  of  raising  the  hammers, 
when  a  bird  rises  unexpectedly,  the  thumb  will  oftentimes 
slip,  especially  if  the  hammers  are  damp,  or  the  thumb 
moist  or  wet,  or  the  thumb  benumbed  by  cold,  while  the  gun 
is  ready  for  immediate  use,  and  only  has  to  be  pointed  to 
be  discharged.     When  shooting  with  a  muzzle-loader,  and 
you  make  a  mistake,  and  put  two  charges  down  in  one  bar- 
rel of  the  gun,  or  get  the  ramrod  fastened  in  the  barrel,  do 
not  fire  the  gun  off,  as  some  reckless  sportsmen  do,  and  run 
the  risk  of  losing  a  limb  or  your  life  by  the  gun  bursting, 
which  is  often  the  case  when  discharged  in  such  a  condi- 
tion, but  remove  the  charges,  or  the  ramrod,  and  do  not  run 
any  risk  by  recklessly  discharging  the  gun.     When  firing 
off  the  gun  never  hold  the  butt  against  your  stomach  or 
bowels,  the  kick  or  recoil  of  the  gun  sometimes  is  very  se- 
vere, and  death  has  been  caused  repeatedly  by  such  care- 
lessness.    Never  lie  down,  flat  on  your  back,  or  lean  your 
back  against  a  rock  or  tree  when  firing  your  gun  off,  for 
the  recoil  of  the  gun  may  be  the  means  of  breaking  your 
collar  bone.     Such  accidents  frequently  befall  ignorant  and 
reckless  sportsmen.     In  carrying  a  gun,  when  in  expecta- 
tion of  a  shot  where  the  birds  are  all  scattered  around, 
carrj'  it  with  the  muzzle  pointing  downward,  but  when  just 
walking  the  field,  and  not  expecting  a  shot,  carry  your  gun 
on   your   shoulder,   with   the   muzzle   pointing   upwards. 
When  you  stop  for  a  moment  never  rest  with  your  hands 
over  the  muzzle  of  the  gun,  this  is  a  dangerous,  reckless 
fashion.     Some  sportsmen  have  this  habit,  and  it  has  been 
the  cause  of  many  accidents.     For  instance,  when  the  dog 
comes  in  he  may  run  and  jump  up  against  you, "and  should 
his  foot  happen  to  slip  and  strike  and  raise  the  hammer  the 
gun  will  be  discharged,  and  the  probability  is  you  may  lose 
your  hand,  or  perhaps  both  by  the  explosion.     In  conclu- 
sion I  shall  say,  not  only  to  reckless  sportsmen,  but  to  all 
gunners,  and  to  all  shooters,  and  to  all  those  who  handle 
guns,  be  careful  when  handling  a  gun,  and  never  forget  for 
one  moment,  not  even  if  you  have  been  told  that  the  gun 


THE  RECKLESS  SPORTSMAN.  115  i 

is  not   charged,  that  you   are  handling  a   death-dealing  ] 
weapon,  which  requires  the  greatest  care  and  watchfulness, 

not  only  to  prevent  it  from  destroying  your  own  life,  but  i 

also  the  life  of  some  fellow  being.  j 


116    FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  BAD  SHOT,  OE  UNSKILLED  SPOETSMAN. 

HE  bad  shot  or  unskilled  sportsman  is  generally  a 
man  who  possesses  but  little  idea  of  discrimination, 
and  one  who  lacks  keen  observation  and  judgment. 
He  is  an  excitable  and  self-willed  sort  of  fellow,  and 
when  a  Partridge  rises  he  becomes  so  overwhelmed  with 
anxiety,  being  afraid  he  will  not  kill  the  bird,  that,  very 
often,  he  fires  without  taking  aim,  and  of  course  the  bird 
goes  on  without  being  hit.  When  a  covey  of  Partridges 
rises  he  bangs  away  in  a  hurry  without  selecting  out  one 
bird  of  the  covey  to  fire  upon.  The  consequence  is  he  fails 
to  kill,  but  thinks  he  ought  to  have  killed  at  least  half  a 
dozen.  He  magnifies  a  small  covey  of  ten  or  twelve  birds  to 
be  the  largest  number  he  ever  saw  in  one  covey,  and  thinks 
forty  birds  must  have  arisen,  and  that  he  ought  have  killed 
five  or  six  of  them  at  the  lowest.  The  whole  covey  flies 
off  without  being  watched,  or  marked  down,  and  after  the 
excitement  wears  away,  and  the  gun  is  recharged,  he  starts 
oif  in  a  great  hurry,  and  goes  hunting  around  and  about  to 
find  where  the  birds  have  gone,  and  perhaps  will  spend  a 
half  day  searching  before  he  finds  them,  whereas  by  a  lit- 
tle observation  at  the  time  of  flushing  the  covey  he  could 
have  marked  the  birds  all  down  to  a  certainty.  The  bad 
shot  or  unskilled  sportsman  is  no  judge  of  distances  when 
in  the  fi-eld.  Sometimes  he  fires  way  out  of  range  of  the 
gun  where  there  is  no  possible  chance  of  killing.  At  other 
times  he  fires  so  very  close  that  if  the  bird  is  hit  it  is  torn  to 
pieces,  and,  perhaps,  will  not  be  in  a  condition  to  carry 
home.  On  the  other  hand,  should  tbe  bird  be  hit  at  a  long 
distance,  it  will  possibly  just  have  its  wing  tipped.  If  this 
is  the  case,  a  regular  foot  race  will  immediately  ensue  with 
the  dog  and  the  man,  and  if  you  accompany  him,  unless 


THE  BAD  SHOT,  OR   UNSKILLED  SPORTSMAN.  117 

you  take  'good  care  and  protect  yourself  by  dodging  behind 
a  tree,  or  a  rock,  you  will  stand  a  good  chance  of  being 
shot  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  the  gun  in  th'fe  hands  of 
the  unskilled  sportsman  while  racing,  especially  if  through 
brushwood,  hanging  branches,  or  bushes.  The  bad  shot's, 
or  unskilled  sportsman's  dog  will  become  suspicious  of  him. 
He  will  perform  all  kinds  of  little  tricks.  For  instance, 
when  he  points  a  covey  he  is  anxious  to  get  his  mouth  on 
the  birds,  and  is  conscious  of  his  master  missing,  and  of 
seeing  the  birds  fly  off,  as  he  has  often  done  before,  without 
having  a  chance  to  mouth  one ;  he  will  take  the  chances  for 
himself  and  pitch  in  before  his  master  gets  up  to  him,  and 
when  the  birds  are  on  the  wing  he  will  take  after  and  chase, 
and  try  to  catch  them.  If  his  master  tries  to  check  him 
from  racing  he  will  pay  no  attention  to  his  call,  but  will 
become  hard  of  hearing,  head  strong,  and  ungovernable. 
Should  the  bad  shot,  or  unskilled  sportsman,  by  chance 
happen  to  kill  a  bird,  the  dog  will  be  likely  to  bite  it  or 
chew  it  up  before  he  gets  up  to  him,  because  he  so  seldom 
gets  one  to  mouth,  and  when  he  does  he  makes  much  of  it, 
by  biting  or  chewing  it  up.  The  bad  shot,  or  unskilled 
sportsman,  when  shooting  with  other  marksmen,  has  many 
false  excuses  for  not  killing.  For  instance,  when  a  Par- 
tridge rises  and  flies  off  he  fires  in  a  hurry,  without  taking 
aim,  of  course  he  misses  clip  and  clear.  He  will  then  say, 
"I  would  have  killed  that  bird,  but  just  as  I  pulled  the  trig- 
ger my  foot  slipped,  and  it  threw  me  clear  out  of  kelter. 
The  next  shot  I  hope  I  will  be  more  fortunate."  Again,  a 
bird  rises  and  flies  off',  he  bangs  away ;  the  bird  is  missed 
clear  as  a  whistle.  He  then  says,  "did  you  hear  my  gun 
hang  fire  ;  what  a  pity,  such  a  beautiful  shot,  too.  I  would 
have  riddled  that  bird  if  my  gun  had  not  hung  fire.  It 
hung  fire  so  long  I  did  not  think  it  was  going  off,  and  just 
as  I  was  in  the  act  of  taking  it  from  my  shoulder,  to  my 
utter  astonishment,  it  went  off."  The  next  bird  rises  and 
flies  across  the  bad  shot,  and  he  being  no  judge  of  distances, 
and  having  no  knowledge  of  shooting  cross  shots,  or  birds 
flying  around,  or  across  to  the  right,  or  left,  he  fires,  and 


118     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

again  he  misses — the  bird  flies  on  most  beautifully.  He 
exclaims,  "did  you  see  the  feathers  fl}^  out  of  that  bird. 
Why,  I  almost  picked  it.  If  my  shot  had  been  larger  I 
would  have  bored  a  hole  right  through  it,  but  my  shot  is 
too  small  entirely."  The  next  bird  rises  and  flies  off;  he 
bangs  away  with  the  same  result.  The  feathers  carry  off 
the  meat,  and  he  contends  the  bird  hangs  a  leg,  and  will 
die;  that  his  aim  was  perfect,  but  the  powder  was  good 
for  nothing ;  that  if  he  had  good  strong  powder  his  shoot- 
ing would  be  more  effectual,  it  not  being  strong  enough  to 
kill  the  birds  when  hit.  He  goes  the  whole  day  long  shoot- 
ing at  Partridges  and  missing  them,  and  every  time  he 
misses  he  manufactures  some  excuse  to  suit  the  occasion. 
A  bad  shot,  or  unskilled  sportsman,  shoots  in  too  much  of 
a  hurry  as  a  general  thing.  He  makes  no  allowance  in 
shooting  in  a  strong  wind  for  the  shot  to  be  drifted  off  from 
a  right  line.  He  makes  no  allowance  for  the  falling  of  shot 
in  shooting  at  long  range.  In  shooting  cross  shots  he  ar- 
rests the  motion  of  the  gun,  at  the  time  of  drawing  the 
trigger,  instead  of  continuing  it  in  the  line  of  flight  of  the 
bird.  A  bad  shot  may  start  out  and  find  a  large  number 
of  Partridges,  in  a  day's  hunt,  but  will  kill  few.  He  will 
return  in  the  evening  with  an  empty  bag,  stating  to  his 
friends  that  he  found  plenty  of  birds  but  they  were  very 
wild,  or  he  saw  plenty  of  game,  but,  after  discharging  his 
gun  several  times,  he  unfortunately  lost  his  shot  out  of  his 
pouch  and  was  compelled  to  return  home,  but  if  he  had 
not  lost  the  shot,  he  would  have  filled  the  bag.  Other 
times  he  may  tell  them  when  he  has  returned  from  a  hunt, 
that  he  found  dead  loads  of  birds,  but  he  only  fired  two  or 
three  shots  and  those  were  very  difficult  ones ;  that  he  suc- 
ceeded in  killing  two  out  of  three,  and  would  have  killed 
the  third,  but  just  as  the  bird  raised,  a  farmer  cried  out, 
*'get  off  of  my  land,"  which  threw  him  off  his  guard  and 
he  missed.  The  balance  of  the  day  afterwards  he  met  with 
the  same  luck — just  as  fast  as  he  found  a  covey  he  was 
driven  off  the  land  by  farmers,  and  this  prevented  him 
from  filling  his  game-bag.     Bad  shots  or  unskilled  sports- 


THE  BAD  SHOT,  OR  UNSKILLED  SPORTSMAN.  119 

men  only  kill  Partridges  flying  straight  off,  and  that  too 
at  short  range;  because  they  have  no  power  of  judging 
distances,  and  no  knowledge  of  shooting  cross-shots,  which 
requires  a  combination  of  movements  to  be  successful.     A 
young  sportsman  should  beware  of  going  shooting  with  a 
man  who  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  bad  marksman.    It 
is  better  to  go  out  with  a  skilled  marksman,  for  if  he  con- 
tracts the  habits  of  the  bad  marksman,  it  will  be  difficult 
to  get  rid  of  them.     A  bad  shot,  or  unskilled  sportsman 
will  spoil  the  best  broken  dog  in  the  world,  and  should  a 
sportsman  want  to  purchase  a  well-broken  dog,  my  advice 
is,  never  buy  one  from  a  man  that  is  a  bad  shot.     Never 
loan  a  well-broken  dog,  pointer  or  setter,  to  a  man  who 
shoots  badly,  for  if  you  do  you  can  rest  assured  that  the 
dog  will  be  spoiled.     He  will  contract  bad  habits;  he  will 
learn  to  run  in,  or  chase,  or  become  careless,  or  run  after 
the  birds  without  pointing  them;  he  will  become  ungov- 
ernable, and  it  will  be  almost  impossible  for  you  to  control 
him  afterwards,  unless  you  thrash  him  and   keep  strict 
watch  over  him.     The  bad  shot,  or  unskilled  sportsman,  is 
a  great  protection  to  Partridges.     He  goes  out  and  finds 
and  flushes  the  covies,  and  fires  away  both  barrels  with- 
out killing  any,  and  the  covies  become  scattered  in  every 
direction.     Should  the  good  shot  come  along,  he  finds  it 
impossible  to  get  up  a  covey,  because  they  have  been  flushed 
and  scattered  by  the  bad  shot.     The  good  shot  may  get  up 
one  or  two  scattered  birds  and  kill  them,  whereas  if  the 
bad  shot  had  not  gone  that  way  and  flushed  and  scattered 
the  covies,  the  chances  are  two  to  one  that  the  good  shot 
would  have  filled  his  bag  out  of  the  same  covies,  going 
over  the  same  ground.     Bad  shots  frighten  the  Partridges 
and  make  them  very  wild  and  shy.    I  have  seen  Partridges 
fly  clear  out  of  sight  over  the  tops  of  the  highest  trees,  and 
hide  themselves  in  holes  in  the  ground,  and  under  cord- 
wood  and  old  drift,  in  musk-rat  holes,  stone  fences,  and 
under  roots  of  trees,  stumps,  hollow  logs,  stone-piles,  wheat- 
stacks,  corn-shocks,  piles  of  rails,  sink-holes,  and  in  every 


120     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

conceivable  place  they  could  hide,  where  a  dog  oftentimes 
could  not  scratch  them  out,  so  frightened  do  they  become 
by  being  driven  up  so  often,  and  shot  at  by  bad  shots,  or 
unskilled  sportsmen. 


MISCELLANEOUS  HINTS.  121 


MISCELLANEOUS    HINTS— DRESS    FOR    PART- 
RIDGE SHOOTING. 

HE  olor  of  the  Partridge  shooter's  clothing,  pants, 
coat,  and  vest,  should  as  nearly  as  possible  correspond 
with  his  natural  surroundings,  or  at  all  events  it 
should  be  of  some  dull  drab  color,  that  which  would 
not  be  likely  to  attract  much  attention.  In  autumn,  when 
the  foliage  and  vegetation  is  turning  yellow,  a  light  brown 
or  yellowish-drab  will  be  found  to  be  as  near  the  tint  as 
any.  For  material  every  sportsman  has  his  own  fancy. 
As  far  as  I  am  concerned  I  prefer  strong  fustian  or  cordu- 
roy. The  coat  should  be  a  short  sack,  and  should  fit  easily 
and  comfortably,  with  plenty  of  pockets.  The  game 
pockets  should  fill  the  whole  of  the  inside  of  the  skirt. 
Being  thus  prepared  you  can  carry  a  large  bag  with  much 
less  trouble  than  with  the  ordinary  game  bag.  A  drab 
low-crowned,  flexible,  ordinary  brimmed  slouch  hat,  is  as. 
good  for  open  or  bush  Partridge  shooting  as  any  head  cov- 
ering. 

BooTS.-^Boots  for  Partridge  shooting  should  never  be 
made  too  heavy.  It  is  altogether  a  mistaken  idea  to  have 
them  made  of  the  stoutest  leather.  A  pair  of  strong,  light, 
easy  and  comfortable  fitting  boots  is  what  you  want.  Ob- 
serve Mr.  Lewis's  advice  on  the  subject  of  shooting  boots  : 
"Nothing  adds  more  to  the  comfort  and  good  humor  of  a 
sportsman  than  a  perfectly  fitting  and  well  modeled  boot, 
and  nothing  is  more  easily  obtained  if  recourse  is  had  to  a 
smart  workman.  If  walking  boots  are  not  made  full,  large, 
and  easy,  no  comfort  can  be  expected  from  them,  as  they 
will  be  sure  either  to  cramp  the  feet,  pinch  the  toes,  gall 
the  heel,  skin  the  instep,  or  arrest  the  free  circulation  of 
the  blood  and  fatigue  the  wearer  almost  to  death.  It  is  of 
16 


122   PRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

no  use,  certainly,  to  enumerate  any  more  of  the  miseries 
attending  a  pair  of  bad-fitting  shooting  boots,  as  many  of 
our  readers,  no  doubt,  some  time  in  the  course  of  their 
lives,  have  had  a  practical  demonstration  of  the  matter, 
and  perhaps  can  speak  more  feelingly  on  the  subject  than 
we  can,  as  we  have  always  been  very  particular  in  the 
choice  of  these  articles,  and  consequently  have  seldom  been 
caught    in   the   unfortunate   situation    above   alluded   to. 
There  are,  however,  some  other  objections  attending  the 
ownership  of  a  pair  of  tight  boots,  particularly  when  damp; 
that  is,  they  are  very  inconvenient  to  get  on,  and,  we  might 
say,  still  worse  to  pull  off.    And,  moreover,  nothing  injures 
the  stiffening  of  the  heels  so  much,  and  makes  them  per- 
fectly good-for-nothing,  as  tugging  at  them  with  a  boot- 
jack, or  working  into  them  with  the  toe  of  the  other  foot, 
or  over  the  cross-bar  of  a  chair;  the  stiff  sole-leather  with 
which  the  heel  is  braced  becomes  perfectly  soft,  and  con- 
sequently will  be  sure  to  run  over  on  the  next  trial.    What 
is  more  ludicrous  than  to  see  a  bad  tempered  man,  half 
bent,  dancing  and  prancing  over  a  small  room,  w^ith  one 
foot  in  a  slipper  and  the  other  stuck  fast  halfway  down  a 
tight  boot,  striving  in  vain  with  all  the  energies  in  his  body 
to  force  it  on?     Such  scenes  are  not  uncommon  among 
sportsmen,  and  often  give  rise  to  much  merriment  on  the 
part  of  the  "  knowing  ones."     That  a  tight  boot  is  very 
uncomfortable,  no  one  will  deny;  and  a  boot  made  too  large 
for  the  foot  has  likewise  its  inconveniences,  as  it  will  be 
sure  to  ride  up  and  down  on  the  heel,  and  sooner  or  later 
will  rub  the  foot  into  blisters  of  the  most  painful  character. 
There  is  a  happy  medium  between  the  two  evils  of  loose 
and  tight  boots,  which  every  intelligent  mechanic  knows 
how  to  arrive  at  without  any  directions  from  the  sports- 
man; in  a  word,  "the  boot  should  be  made  to  fit  the  foot, 
and  not  the  foot  to  fit  the  boot,"  as  is  too  often  the  case. 
Knife  ;  Drinking  Cup. — On  starting  out  to  take  a  hunt, 
before  starting  always  see  that  you  have  in  your  pockets, 
a  knife,  a  drinking  cup,  and  something  to  eat;  also,  some 
twine  string;  and,  if  you  indulge  in  tobacco,  see  that  you 


MISCELLANEOUS  HINTS.  123 

■  ( 

have  that,  unless  you  prefer  to  feel  all  through  the  day  un- 
like yourself;  do  not  chew  too  much,  nor  over-walk  your- 
self at  the  sport,  particularly  if  you  are  not  very  strong — 
both  over-walking  and  chewing  weaken  the  nerves  and 
injures  the  constitution. 

If  3'ou  want  to  feel  good  through  the  day,  never  start 
out  in  the  morning  to  hunt  with  an  empty  stomach — eat 
something  before  you  start,  if  it  be  only  no  more  than  a 
slice  of  bread. 

Accoutrements. — Of  gun  covers,  wad  cutters,  game  bags, 
dog  calls,  pocket  cleaning  rods,  shot  belts,  shot  pouches, 
powder  flasks,  nipple  wrenches,  shells,  shell  extractors,  &c., 
I  shall  have  nothing  to  say,  more  than  to  refer  you  to  J. 
H.  Johnson,  at  the  Great  Western  Gun  Works  No.  285 
Liberty  street,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  for  an  illustrated  cata- 
logue of  100  pages  of  sporting  goods,  out  of  which  you  can 
make  a  selection  to  suit  your  fancy. 

Caps. — Eley's  water-proof  caps,  warranted  not  to  fly  to 
pieces,  nor  miss  fire,  for  Partridge  shooting,  are  what  you 
want. 

Wadding. — Eley's  patent  chemically  prepared  hair-felt 
gun- wads,  warranted  not  to  take  fire,  or  fly  to  pieces  in  the 
barrel,  are  as  good  wadding  for  shooting  as  any. 

Powder. — I  prefer  the  medium  size  grained  powder  for 
Partridge  shooting.  Lafl^in  &  Eand's  Orange  Lightning, 
Oriental,  Dupont's,  Curtis  &  Harvey,  Hazard's,  American 
Powder  Company,  any  of  these  brands  are  good  enough, 
and  all  I  have  got  to  say  is,  that  whenever  you  fail  to  kill 
your  birds  shooting,  with  any  of  these  brands,  when  the 
powder  is  pure  and  dry,  why,  you  can  set  it  down  that 
there  is  something  wrong  behind  the  gun. 

Shot. — The  adjoining  table,  showing  the  number  of  pel- 
lets to  the  ounce  of  the  various  and  comparative  sizes  of 
shot  which  are  made  by  the  leading  manufacturers,  which 
may  prove  of  service  to  sportsmen,  is  taken  from  W.  F. 
Parker: 


124 


PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


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PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


THE  GEOUSE. 

§HE  Grouse  belong  to  the  family  "TetraonidsB,"  and 
arc  characterized  among  gallinaceous  birds  by  their 
g^    densely  feathered  tarsi ;  and  by  the  feathers  of  the 

^  nasal  fossa  or  groove,  which  fill  it  completely, 
and  conceal  the  nostrils.  The  toes  are  usually  naked, 
(feathered  to  the  claws  in  the  Ptarmigans,)  and  with 
pectinations  of  scales  along  the  edges.  The  tail  feathers 
vary  from  sixteen  to  eighteen,  and  even  twenty  in  num- 
ber; the  tail  is  rounded,  acute,  or  forked.  The  orbital 
region  is  generally  somewhat  bare,  with  a  naked  stripe 
above  the  upper  eyelid,  beset  by  short,  fringe-like  processes, 
while  many  genera  have  an  inflatable  air-sac  on  the  side  of 
the  neck.  In  this  family,  according  to  Baird,  Brewer  and 
Eidgway,  the  following  varieties  can  be  found  in  North 
America.  The  common  name  of  each  variety,  and  the 
places  they  respectively  inhabit,  are  as  follows : 

No.  1.  Spruce  Partridge,  Canada  Grouse. — This  variety 
inhabits  spruce  forests  and  swamps  of  the  Northern  United 
States  to  the  Arctic  seas.  West,  nearly  to  Eocky  Moun- 
tains. 


126     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

No.  2.  Franklin  Grouse.  —  Inhabits  Northern  Epcky 
Mountains,  near  the  United  States  boundary,  and  West  to 
coast  range. 

No.  3.  Dusky  Grouse. — Inhabits  Rocky  Mountain  region 
of  the  United  States,  principally  South  of  South  Pass  and 
Sierra  Nevada,  North  to  Oregon,  and  South  to  San  Fran- 
cisco Mountains,  New  Mexico. 

No.  4.  Oregon  Dusky  Grouse. — Inhabits  North-West  coast 
region  from  Oregon  to  Sitka. 

No.  5.  Richardson's  Dusky  Grouse.  —  Inhabits  Rocky 
Mountains  of  British  America.  South  to  the  Yellow  Stone 
and  Hell  Gate  region  of  the  United  States. 

No.  6.  Sage  Cock,  Cock  of  the  Plains. — Inhabits  Artemisia, 
or  Sage  Plains  of  the  North-West. 

No.  7.  Sharp-Tailed  Grouse. — Inhabits  British  America 
from  Hudson's  Bay  territory  South  to  Northern  shore  of 
Lake  Superior,  and  West  to  Alaska  and  British  Columbia. 

No.  8.  Columbia  Sharp-Tailed  Grouse.  —  Inhabits  Plains 
and  Prairies  of  the  United  States  from  Illinois  and  Wiscon- 
sin West  to  Oregon  and  Nevada,  South  to  .Colorado  and 
New  Mexico,  etc. 

No.  9.  Pinnated  Grouse;  Prairie  Sen;  Prairie  Chicken. — 
Inhabits  Prairies  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  from  Louisiana, 
northward.  East  to  Pocono  Mountains,  Pennsylvania;  for- 
merly along  the  Eastern  coast  of  the  United  States  from 
Long  Island  to  Cape  Cod ;  or  farther,  a  few  still  left  on 
Naushon  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

10.  Texas  Prairie  Hen. — Inhabits  South-Western  Prai- 
ries, Staked  Plains,  Texas. 

No.  11.  Ruffed  Grouse;  Partridge;  Pheasant. — Inhabits 
Eastern  Province  of  North  America. 

No.  12.  The  Mountain  Partridge. — Inhabits  Rocky  Moun- 
tains of  the  United  States  and  interior  of  British  America, 
from  Alaska  (on  the  Yukon)  to  Canada. 

No.  13.  The  Oregon  Grouse. — Inhabits  Coast  Mountains 
of  Oregon,  Washington  and  British  Columbia. 


THE  GROUSE.  127 

No.  14.  Willow  Grrouse,  White  Ptarmigan. — Inhabits  Arc- 
tic America  from  Newfoundland  to  Sitka. 

No.  15.  Bock  Ptarmigan. — Inhabits  Artie  America. 

No.  16.  White  Tail  Ptarmigan. — Inhabits  Alpine  Sum- 
mits of  the  Western  Mountains  from  latitude  39°  in  the 
Kocky  Mountains,  North  into  British  America,  and  West 
to  the  cascades  of  Oregon,  Washington  and  British  Co- 
lumbia. 

Of  these  stylish  game  birds,  as  far  as  heard  from,  we 
have  then  in  all  sixteen  varieties  inhabiting  North  Amer- 
ica, only  four  of  which  varieties  are  found  to  the  Eastward 
of  the  Mississippi  River.  These  are  the  first,  eighth,  ninth 
and  eleventh  varieties.  The  first  variety,  Canada  Grouse, 
is  a  swamp  and  forest  ranging  bird  of  Northern  United 
States.  The  eighth  variety,  Columbia  Sharp-Tail  Grouse, 
is  said  to  only  occur  East  of  the  Mississippi  River,  in 
Northern  Illinois  and  Southern  Wisconsin.  Of  the  ninth 
variety,  Pinnated  Grouse,  as  well  as  the  first  variety, 
Canada  Grouse,  and  the  eighth  variety,  Columbia  Sharp- 
Tail  Grouse,  I  shall  give  under  their  proper  heads,  their 
ornithological  characters  and  habits.  The  second,  third, 
fourth,  fifth,  sixth,  seventh,  tenth,  twelfth,  thirteenth, 
fourteenth,  fifteenth,  and  sixteenth  varieties  no  where  ex- 
ist to  the  eastward  of  the  Mississippi  River.  These  I  shall 
only  notice  by  giving  their  habits,  which  I  shall  produce 
from  the  best  authors  in  North  American  ornithology. 
The  eleventh  variety,  Rufi"ed  Grouse;  Partridge;  Phea- 
sant, we  shall  introduce  to  the  sportsman  as  the  object  of 
our  pursuit,  and  the  special  subject  of  this  treatise,  it  being 
found  in  the  whole  of  the  Eastern  Province  of  North  Amer- 
ica, and  is  a  well  known  game  bird  of  this  country.  In  the 
arrangement  of  this  work  I  shall  begin  with  the  ornitho- 
logical description  of  the  characters  and  habits  of  the  first, 
eighth,  and  ninth  varieties,  and  follow  on  with  the  habits 
of  the  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  sixth,  seventh,  tenth, 
twelfth,  thirteenth,  fourteenth,  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  va- 
rieties.    I  shall  then  close  the  volume,  and  this  department 


128     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

of  my  work,  with  giving  a  full  and  complete  account,  and 
the  best  modes  I  have  used  in  shooting,  hunting,  and  bag- 
ging the  eleventh  variety.  Buffed  Grouse,  Partridge,  Phea- 
sant, reserving  only  a  small  space  for  shooting  in  woods 
and  thickets. 


SPRUCE  partridge;  CANADA  GROUSE.        129 


SPEUOE  PAETEIDGE;  CANADA  GEOUSE. 
Canance  Canadensis,  Var,  Canadensis. — Linn. 

fl^gP.  CHAE. — Tail  of  sixteen  feathers.     Above  black. 

FMB  Feathers  above  distinctly  banded  with  plumbeous ; 

g^"   beneath   uniform   black,   with   a  pectoral   band  of 

^  white,  and  white  on  the  sides  of  the  belly.  Chin  and 
throat  above,  black.  Tail  with  a  broad  brownish-orange 
terminal  band.     Length,  16,  20  ;  wing,  6,  70 ;  tail,  5,  44. 

Female  smaller,  but  somewhat  similar;  the  black  bars 
above  broader,  the  inner  gray  bars  of  each  feather,  includ- 
ing the  tail,  replaced  by  broader  ones  of  brownish-orange. 
The  under  parts  have  the  feathers  black,  barred  with  the 
brownish-orange,  which,  on  the  tips  of  the  belly-feathers,  is 
pure  white.  The  clear  continuous  black  of  the  head  and 
breast  is  wanting.  The  scapulars,  greater  coverts,  and 
sides  are  streaked  as  in  the  male. 

A  female  (No.  39,  136,  Gr.  A.  Boardman)  from  Maine, 
differs  from  the  above  description  in  having  the  ground  of 
the  plumage  a  bright  orange-rufous,  the  distinct  bars  of 
which  are  broader  than  the  black  ones ;  this  is  probably 
an  autumnal  bird,  and  represents  the  peculiar  plumage  of 
that  season.  Males  vary,  individually,  in  the  extent  or 
uniformity  of  the  black  of  the  breast. 

Specimens  from  Alaska,  (Nulato,  Kodiak,  etc.,)  Eed 
Elver,  Liard's  Eiver  and  Fort  Liard,  Hudson's  Bay  Terri- 
tory, Canada,  and  Maine,  appear  to  be  absolutely  identi- 
cal. The  young  in  downy  state  are  pale  buff  yellow ;  the 
head  above,  with  the  back  and  wings,  pale  fulvous  ;  a  black 
stripe  on  side  of  head  (from  bill  to  end  of  auriculars),  two 
spots  on  crown,  and  transverse  crescentic  spots  on  backa 
and  wings,  black. 
17 


130   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

Hab. — Spruce  forests  and  swamps  of  the  IN'orthern 
United  States  to  the  Arctic  Seas;  West  nearly  to  Kocky 
Mountains. — ^^North  American  Birds.'" — Baird,  Brewer  and 
Ridgway. 

Habits. — Baird,  Brewer  and  Eidgway's  description  of 
this  bird's  habits  in  the  North  American  Birds,  is  as  fol- 
lows :  "This  bird,  variously  known  as  the  Spruce  or  Wood 
Partridge,  Canada,  Black,  or  Spotted  Grouse,  is  found,  in 
favorable  localities,  from  the  Northern  United  States  as 
far  North  as  the  woods  extend,  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  being 
found,  even  in  mid- winter,  nearly  to  the  70th  parallel.  Sir 
John  Richardson  found  all  the  thick  and  swampy  black- 
spruce  forests  between  Canada  and  the  Arctic  Sea  abound- 
ing with  this  species.  In  winter  it  descends  into  Maine, 
Northern  New  York,  and  Michigan.  Its  migrations  are, 
however,  only  partial,  as  it  is  found  in  the  severest  weather 
of  mid-winter,  in  considerable  numbers,  as  far  North  as 
latitude  67°.  According  to  Mr.  Douglass,  West  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  it  is  replaced  by  the  T.  frankliiii.  This 
bird  is  said  to  perch  in  trees,  in  flocks  of  eight  or  ten,  and 
is  so  stupid  that  it  may  be  taken  by  slipping  a  noose,  fas- 
tened to  the  end  of  a  stick,  over  its  head.  When  disturbed^ 
it  flies  heavily  a  short  distance,  and  then  alights  again 
among  the  interior  branches  of  a  tree.  Richardson  inva- 
riably found  its  crop  filled  with  the  buds  of  the  spruce- 
trees  in  the  winter,  and  at  that  time  its  flesh  was  very 
dark  and  had  a  strong  resinous  taste.  In  districts  where 
the  Finns  banksiana  grows  it  is  said  to  prefer  the  buds  of 
that  tree.  In  the  summer  it  feeds  on  berries,  which  render 
its  flesh  more  palatable. 

Captain  Blakiston  states  that  he  has  found  this  species 
as  far  West  as  Fort  Carlton,  and  Mr.  Ross  has  traced  it 
northward  on  the  Mackenzie  to  the  Arctic  coast.  Mr. 
Audubon  met  w^ith  it  in  Maine,  in  the  vicinity  of  East- 
port,  where  they  were  only  to  be  met  with  in  the  thick 
and  tangled  forests  of  spruce  and  hackmatack.  They  were 
breeding  in  the  inner  recesses  of  almost  impenetrable 
woods  of  hackmatack  or  larches.     He  was  informed  that 


SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE  ;  CANADA  GROUSE.        131 

they  breed  in  that  neighborhood  about  the  middle  of  May, 
a  full  month  sooner  than  they  do  in  Labrador.  In  their 
love  season  the  males  are  said  to  exhibit  many  of  the  sin- 
gular manners  also  noticeabe  in  the  other  members  of  this 
family.  They  strut  before  the  female  on  the  ground,  some- 
thing in  the  manner  of  the  common  domestic  turkey-cock, 
occasionally  rising  in  a  spiral  manner  above  her  in  the  air; 
at  the  same  time,  both  when  on  the  ground  and  in  the  air, 
they  beat  their  wings  violently  against  their  body,  thereby 
producing  a  peculiar  drumming  sound,  which  is  said  to  be 
much  clearer  than  the  well-known  drumming  of  the  Ruffed 
Grouse.  These  sounds  can  be  heard  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  the  place  where  they  are  made. 

The  female  constructs  a  nest  of  a  bed  of  dry  twigs, 
leaves,  and  mosses,  which  is  usually  carefully  concealed,  on 
the  ground  and  under  low  horizontal  branches  of  fir-trees. 
The  number  of  eggs  is  said  to  vary  from  eight  to  eighteen 
in  number.  It  is  imagined  by  the  common  people  that 
where  more  than  ten  eggs  are  found  in  the  same  nest  they 
arc  the  ])roduct  of  two  females,  who  aid  each  other  in 
their  charge.  The  eggs  are  described  by  Audubon  as  of  a 
deep  fawn-color,  irregularly  splashed  with  different  tints  of 
brown.  They  have  but  a  single  brood  in  a  season,  and  the 
young  follow  the  mother  as  soon  as  they  leave  the  shell. 
As  soon  as  incubation  commences,  the  males  desert  the 
females  and  keep  in  small  flocks  by  themselves,  removing  to 
different  woods,  where  they  usually  become  much  more  shy 
and  wary  than  at  any  other  season  of  the  year.  In  their 
movements  on  the  ground  these  birds  are  said  to  resemble 
our  common  Quail,  rather  than  the  Ruffed  Grouse.  They 
do  not  jerk  their  tails  in  the  manner  of  the  latter  bird,  as 
they  walk,  nor  are  they  known  to  burrow  in  the  snow ; 
but  when  they  are  pursued  they  invariably  take  refuge  in 
trees,  from  which  they  cannot  be  readily  made  to  fly. 
When  driven  from  one  place  of  refuge  to  another,  they 
accompany  their  flight  with  a  few  clucks,  an  d  those  sounds 
they  repeat  when  they  alight.  When  a  flock  thus  alights, 
it  may  all  be  readily  secured  by  a  little  precaution  and 


132   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

pains.  It  is  said  that  they  are  so  unwary  and  regardless 
of  the  near  presence  of  man,  that  when  thus  in  the  imag- 
ined shelter  of  a  tree  they  will  permit  themselves  to  be 
approached,  the  whole  flock  shot,  or  even  knocked  down 
with  a  stick.  Sometimes  they  may  be  all  taken  alive,  one 
after  the  other,  by  means  of  a  noose  affixed  to  the  end  of  a 
long  pole.  According  to  Audubon,  the  Canada  Grouse  in- 
dicate the  approach  of  rainy  weather  by  retiring  to  roost 
at  an  unusual  time  in  the  day,  whenever  a  storm  is  im- 
pending. If  observed  to  fly  up  to  their  roost  at  midday, 
it  rarely  fails  to  rain  or  snow  before  the  evening ;  and  if, 
on  the  contrary,  they  remain  busily  engaged  in  search  of 
food  until  sunset,  the  night  and  following  morning  are 
pretty  sure  to  be  fresh  and  clear.  The  young  of  this  Grouse 
are  very  strong  and  active  from  the  moment  they  are 
hatched,  and  are  able  to  fly  at  a  very  earl}^  age.  When  in 
Labrador,  Mr.  Audubon  almost  walked,  by  accident,  upon 
a  female  Canada  Grouse,  surrounded  by  her  young  brood. 
This  was  about  the  middle  of  July.  The  affrighted  mother, 
upon  perceiving  him,  ruffled  up  all  her  feathers  in  the 
manner  of  the  common  hen,  and  advanced  close  to  him  as 
if  determined  to  defend  her  offspring.  Her  distressed  con- 
dition claimed  his  forbearance,  and  she  was  allowed  to 
remain  in  safety.  As  soon  as  he  retired  she  smoothed 
down  her  plumage  and  uttered  a  tender  maternal  chuck, 
when  the  little  ones  took  to  their  wings  with  ease,  though 
they  appeared  to  be  not  more  than  one  week  old.  Mr. 
Audubon  found  this  "  Grouse  moulting  as  early  as  the 
20th  of  July.  At  that  period  the  young  were  generally 
already  able  to  fly  fully  a  hundred  yards  in  a  single  flight. 
They  alighted  on  low  trees  and  were  easily  taken  alive. 
This  Grouse  feeds,  in  the  summer,  on  berries  of  various 
kinds,  as  well  as  upon  the  buds  and  leaves  of  several  differ- 
ent kinds  of  plants  and  shrubs.  In  the  autumn  they  gorge 
themselves  with  the  berries  of  Solomon's  Seal.  At  this 
season  their  flesh  is  much  the  best.  In  the  winter,  when 
they  feed  on  the  buds  of  the  hackmatack  and  the  spruce 
and  firs,  and  also  upon  the  leaves  of  the  spruces,  as  stated 


SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE ;  CANADA  GROUSE.        133 

by  Richardson,  they  have  a  bitter,  disagreeable  taste,  and 
are  hardly  fit  to  eat.  This  Grrouse  may  be  readily  kept  in 
confinement,  and  even  made  to  breed  there.  Mr.  Thomas 
Lincoln,  of  Denny  sville,  fed  some  of  them  on  oats,  on  which 
food  they  appeared  to  thrive  very  well.  The  eggs  of  this 
bird  vary  in  length  from  1,75  inches  to  1,68,  and  in  breadth 
from  1,22  to  1,20  inches.  Eggs  taken  at  Fort  Resolution, 
by  Mr.  Kennicott,  have  a  ground  of  a  deep  dull  cream 
color,  shaded  with  ochre.  They  are  of  an  oblong  oval-shape, 
speckled  and  marked  with  spots  of  a  dark  chestnut-color. 
In  these  specimens  the  spots  are  larger  towards  the  smaller 
end. 


IM   PRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


COLUMBIA  SHAEP-TAIL  GEOUSE. 
Pedioecetes  phasianellus,  Var,  columbianus. — Baird. 

!P.  CHAE. — Prevailing  colors  yellowish-brown  and 
white ;  ground-color  of  head  and  neck  deep  bufP. 
Upper  parts  varigated  with  transverse  spots  of 
black,  and  more  or  less  tinged  with  rusty;  scapulars 
without  longitudinal  spots  of  white,  wing-coverts  and  outer 
webs  of  primaries  with  large  conspicuous  spots  of  pure 
white,  the  former  roundish,  the  lattor  more  quadrate. 
Breast  and  sides  with  Y-shaped  markings  of  pale  yellow- 
ish brown,  bordered  with  dusk}^.  Throat  immaculate,  or 
only  minutely  speckled;  feathers  of  tarsus  short,  the  toes 
completely  bare.  No  appreciable  difference  between  the 
sexes. 

Male  (22,011,  Simiahmoo,  Washington  Territory;  Dr. 
Kennerly.)  Wing,  8,  00 ;  tail,  4,  40,  two  middle  feathers 
one  inch  longer. 

Female  (19,173,  Eose  Briar  Creek  ;  F.  Y.  Hayden.)  Wing. 
8,  80;  tail,  4,  (10. 

Hab. — Plains  and  prairies  of  the  United  States,  from  Il- 
linois and  Wisconsin,  West  to  Oregon,  Nevada,  etc.;  South 
to  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  etc. — ^^North  American  Birds.'' — 
Baird,  Brewer  and  Bidgway,  Vol.  III. 

Habits. — The  description  of  the  habits  of  this  Grouse,  is 
as  described  in  the  North  American  Birds,  by  Baird,  Brewer 
and  Eidgway.  They  state :  "  This  species  is  the  more 
Southern  of  the  two  varieties  of  Sharp-Tailed  Grouse  found 
in  North  America.  Owing  to  the  confusion  which  has  ex- 
isted until  recently,  in  which  both  the  Northern  and  South- 
ern races  have  been  considered  as  one,  the  geographical 
distribution  of  each  may  not  be  deiined  with  complete  ex- 


COLUMBIA  SHARP-TAIL  GROUSE.  135 

actness.  The  present  form  is  found  in  Illinois  and  Wis- 
consin, and  westward  to  Oregon  and  Washington  Terri- 
tory, and  as  far  to  the  North  as  British  Columbia  and  the 
Southern  portion  of  the  Saskatchewan  Valley.  Dr.  New- 
berry found  this  Grouse  associated  with  the  Prairie  Chicken 
on  the  prairies  bordering  on  the  Mississippi  and  the  Mis- 
souri, and  frequently  confounded  with  that  bird,  though 
readily  distinguishable  by  its  lighter  plumage,  its  speckled 
breast,  and  smaller  size.  It  is  always  the  least  abundant 
of  the  two  species,  when  found  together.  The  range  of  this 
Grouse  extends  much  farther  westward;  the  cupido  being- 
limited  to  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  while  the  former 
is  found  as  far  West  as  the  Valleys  of  California.  North 
of  San  Francisco  his  party  first  found  it  on  a  prairie  near 
Canoe  Creek,  fifty  miles  north  east  of  Fort  Eeading;  sub- 
sequently, on  a  level  grass-covered  plain  in  the  upper  canon 
of  Pitt  Eiver,  these  birds  were  met  in  great  abundance. 
They  were  also  found  about  Klamath  Lakes  and  in  the  Des 
Chutes  Basin,  as  far  as  the  Dalles.  The  flesh  was  very 
much  like  that  of  the  Prairie  Chicken.  This  bird  is  said 
to  lie  close,  and  when  flushed  to  fly  off,  uttering  a  constantly 
repeated  kuck-kuck-kuck,  moving  with  steadiness  and  con- 
siderable swiftness.  It  is,  however,  easily  killed.  The 
young  birds  are  fat  and  tender,  and  as  they  fall  on  the 
grassy  prairie  scatter  their  feathers,  as  if  torn  to  pieces. 
According  to  Dr.  SucKley,  the  Sharp-Tailed  Grouse  entirely 
replaces  the  Pinnated  Grouse  in  Washington  Territory. 
He  first  noticed  it  near  old  Fort  Union,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Yellowstone  Eiver.  From  that  point  to  the  Cascade 
Mountains  of  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory  it  was  ex- 
ceedingly abundant  wherever  there  was  open  country  and 
a  suflSciency  of  food.  In  certain  places  they  were  in  great 
numbers  in  the  autumn,  congregating  in  large  flocks,  espe- 
cially in  the  vicinity  of  patches  of  wild  rye,  and  more  re- 
cently near  settlements  where  there  were  wheat  stubbles. 
They  resemble  the  Pinnated  Grouse  in  habits.  Where 
they  are  numerous,  they  may  frequently  be  found,  on  cold 
mornings  in  the  Autumn  or  early  Winter,  perched  on  fences 


136     PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

or  on  leafless  trees,  sunning  themselves  in  the  early  sun- 
light. At  Fort  Dallas  a  young  bird,  scarcely  two  days  old, 
was  found  on  the  first  of  April.  This  early  incubation  seems 
to  prove  that  they  must  have  more  than  one  brood  in  a 
season.  The  young  Grouse  was  confided  to  the  charge  of 
a  Hen  with  a  brood  of  young  Chickens ;  but  it  refused  to 
associate  with  them,  and  escaped,  probably  to  perish  of 
cold.  Dr.  Cooper  adds  that  this  Grouse  is  found  in  Wash- 
ington Territory  only  in  the  low  alluvial  prairies  of  the 
streams  emptying  into  the  Columbia  East  of  the  Cascade 
Mountains,  where  it  was  found  in  flocks  of  several  hun- 
dreds. They  shun  high  grounds  and- forests  entirely.  The 
only  cry  he  ever  heard  them  utter  was  a  cackle  when  sud- 
denl}^  started  from  the  ground.  Their  wings  make  a  loud 
whirring,  as  among  others  of  this  family.  Mr.  J.  K.  Lord 
found  this  species  abundantly  distributed  on  the  western 
slope  of  the  Eocky  Mountains,  ranging  right  and  left  of 
the  49th  parallel.  It  was  particularly  numerous  on  the 
plains  near  the  Kootanie  Eiver,  round  Osoyoos  Lakes,  and 
in  the  Valley  of  the  Columbia.  He  did  not  meet  with  any 
on  the  western  side  of  the  Casscade  Eange.  It  is  also  found 
in  the  Eed  Eiver  settlements  and  in  Northern  Minnesota. 
"Mr.  Elliott  is  quite  in  error  in  stating  that  this  Grouse 
does  not  occur  East  of  the  Mississippi,  as  it  is  found  nearly 
throughout  Northern  Illinois  and  Southern  Wisconsin.  I 
have  seen  a  flock  within  thirty  milel^  of  Chicago,  and  have 
from  time  to  time  had  their  eggs  from  Dane  county,  Wis- 
consin. Mr.  Lord  regards  this  Grouse  as  remarkable  both 
for  its  field  qualities,  such  as  lying  well  to  a  dog,  rising 
with  a  loud  rattling  whir,  frequenting  open  grassy  prai- 
ries, and  flying  as  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  for  its  excel- 
lence as  a  table  dainty.  For  delicacy  of  flavor  its  flesh  is 
unequaled.  With  the  fur  traders  this  species  is  known  as 
the  Spotted  Chicken,  and  is,  furthermore,  the  Skis-kin  of  the 
Kootanie  Indians.  Its  singular  combination  of  colors — 
white,  black,  and  brownish  yellow — makes  it  exactly  re- 
semble the  ground  on  which  it  lives,  and  admirably  har- 
monizes with  the  dead  twigs  and  leaves  of  the  artemisia, 


COLUMBIA  SHARP-TAIL  GROUSE.  137 

the  dry  and^sandj-  soil,  the  brown  on  the  withered  bunch- 
grass,  and  the  sombre  colored  lichens  of  the  rocks.  It  often 
requires  a  keen  and  practised  eye  to  distinguish  one  of 
these  birds  from  the  ground  on  which  it  has  fallen,  even 
though  the  eye  be  kept  on  the  spot  where  it  was  seen  to 
fall.  This  similarity  of  colors  with  those  of  the  prairie  no 
doubt  effectually  conceals  them  from  the  hawks  and  owls. 
Its  favorite  haunt  is  on  open  grassy  plains  in  the  morning, 
keeping  concealed  in  the  long  thick  grass,  coming  about 
mid-day  to  the  stream  to  drink,  and  to  dust  itself  in  the 
sandy  banks.  It  seldom  goes  into  the  timber,  always  re- 
mains close  to  the  prairie,  and  never  retires  into  the  depth 
of  the  forests.  It  lays  its  eggs  on  the  open  prairie  in  a  tuft 
of  grass,  or  near  the  foot  of  a  small  hillock,  nesting  early 
in  Spring,  and  depositing  from  twelve  to  fourteen  eggs. 
The  nest  is  a  mere  hole  scratched  in  the  earth,  with  a  few 
grass  stalks  and  root  fibres  laid  carelessly  and  loosely  over 
the  bottom.  Mr.  Lord  describes  the  eggs  as  of  a  dark  rusty- 
brown,  with  small  splashes  or  speckles  of  darker  brown 
thickly  spattered  over  them.  After  nesting  time  they  ap- 
pear in  broods  about  the  middle  of  August,  the  young  birds 
being  about  two-thirds  grown.  At  this  time  they  frequent 
the  margins  of  small  streams  where  there  is  thin  timber 
and  underbrush.  After  the  middle  of  September  they  begin 
to  pack,  two  or  three  covies  getting  together,  and  flock 
after  flock  joining  until  they  accumulate  into  hundreds.  . 
On  the  first  appearance  of  snow  they  begin  to  perch  on 
the  dead  branches  of  a  pine  or  the  tops  of  fences.  'Near 
Fort  Colville,  after  snow  fell,  they  assembled  in  vast  num- 
bers in  the  large  wheat  stubbles.  They  became  wary  and 
shy,  the  snow  rendering  every  moving  thing  so  conspicu- 
ous that  it  was  next  to  impossible  for  dogs  to  hunt  them. 
The  food  of  this  Grouse  consists  principally  of  berries  in 
the  Summer  months,  such  as  the  snowberry,  the  bearberry, 
the  haws  of  the  wild  rose,  and  the  whortleberry,  grain,  the 
larvae  of  insects,  grass  seeds,  etc.  In  the  Winter  they  run 
over  the  snow  with  ease  and  celerity,  dig  holes  in  it,  and 
burrow  underneath  in  the  manner  of  a  Ptarmigan.  During 
18 


138     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

the  two  winters  Mr.  Lord  spent  at  Colville,  flocks  of  these 
birds  congregated  around  the  hay  ricks  at  their  mule 
camp.  In  a  temperature  often  30°  and  more  below  zero, 
and  the  snow  several  feet  deep,  they  were  strong,  fat,  and 
wild,  and  did  not  appear  to  suffer  at  all  from  the  intense 
cold.  Indeed,  they  are  said  to  pair  very  early  in  the  Spring, 
long  before  the  snow  has  gone  off  the  ground,  and  their 
meeting  is  preceded  by  some  very  singular  performances, 
which  are  called  by  the  fur  traders  chicken-dances,  to  sev- 
eral of  which  Mr.  Lord  was  an  eye-witness.  Groups  of 
these  birds  assembled  for  their  dances  either  about  sunrise 
or  late  in  the  afternoon,  selecting  for  the  purpose  a  high 
round  topped  mound,  which  in  the  course  of  their  evolu- 
tion becomes  worn  quite  bare.  At  one  of  .the  dances  wit- 
nessed b}^  Mr.  Lord  there  were  about  twenty  birds  present; 
the  birds  nearest  him  were  head  to  head,  like  game-cocks 
in  fighting  attitude, — the  neck  feathers  ruffed  up,  the  little 
sharp  tail  elevated  straight  on  end,  the  wings  dropped 
close  to  the  ground,  but  keeping  up  a  rapid  vibration  or 
continued  drumming  sound.  They  circled  round  and 
round  each  other  in  slow  waltzing  time,  always  maintain- 
ing the  same  attitude,  but  never  striking  at  each  other. 
Sometimes  the  pace  increased,  and  one  pursued  the  other 
until  the  latter  faced  about.  Others  jumped  about  two 
feet  in  the  air  until  out  of  breath,  and  then  strutted  about 
in  a  peculiar  manner;  and  others  went  marching  about 
with  tails  and  heads  as  high  up  as  they  could  get  them. 
Captain  Blakiston  states  that  on  the  Saskatchewan  this 
species  was  very  generally  distributed  throughout  the  in- 
terior. He  met  with  it  just  below  the  forks  of  the  Sas- 
katchewan, and  traced  it  to  the  western  base  of  the  Eocky 
Mountains.  He  found  it  breeding  at  Fort  Carlton.  He 
regards  these  birds  as  of  polygamous  habits.  In  the  Fall 
they  are  found  in  families,  in  the  semi-wooded  country 
bordering  on  the  prairies.  They  perch  on  trees,  frequently 
at  the  very  top,  and  their  crops  are  found  stuffed  out  with 
berries.  These  are  chiefly  the  fruit  of  the  bearberry,  the 
ground  juniper,  the   snowberry,  the  small   prairie  roses, 


COLUMBIA  SHARP-TAIL  GROUSE.  139 

the  buifaloberry,  and  several  kinds  of  buds.  They  have 
also  been  known  to  feed  on  caterpillars  and  other  insects 
baked  and  crisped  by  prairie  fires.  Captain  Blakiston  was 
also  an  eye  witness  of  one  of  the  singular  love  performances 
of  these  birds,  known  as  dances.  His  account  of  it,  which 
is  very  full,  is  almost  exactly  in  correspondence  with  the 
account  referred  to  as  given  by  Mr.  Lord. 

Mr.  Ridgway  met  with  this  Grouse  at  one  locality  only, 
encountering  them  late  in  September  in  the  Upper  Hum- 
boldt Valley.  There  it  was  found  in  considerable  numbers 
in  the  rye-grass  meadows  on  the  foot-slopes  of  the  Clover 
Mountains.  They  were  startled  from  the  ground,  where 
they  were  hidden  in  the  grass,  and  when  surprised  fre- 
quently took  refuge  in  the  willow-thickets  along  the 
streams  near  by.  Their  flesh  was  found  to  be  most  excel- 
lent. The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  considerably  in  size, 
but  average  about  1,80  inches  in  length,  and  1,30  in  breadth. 
They  are  oval  in  shape,  slightly  pointed  at  one  end.  Their 
ground  varies  from  a  light  clay  to  a  dark  rusty  brown, 
generally  plain,  but  frequently  speckled  minutely  with 
fine  dottings  of  a  darker  brown. 


140     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PAETRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


PEAIEIE   HEN;  PEAIEIE   CHICKEN;   PINNATED 
(tEOUSE. 

Cupidonia  cupido,  Var,  cupido. — Baibd. 

|P.  CUAK— Male  (10,006,  Tremont,  Illinois;  W.  I. 

Shaw.")  r^round-eolor  above  ochraceous-brown,  ting- 
^^'  ed  with  grayish  ;  beneath  white,  the  feathers  of  the 

jngiiluni  dark  rusty-chestnut  beneath  the  surface. 
Head  most  deep  buff.  Upper  parts  much  broken  by  broad 
transverse  spots,  or  irregular  bars,  of  deep  black,  this 
color  predominating  largely  over  the  lighter  tints.  Pri- 
maries and  tail  plain  dusky ;  the  former  with  roundish  spots 
of  pale  orchraceous  on  outer  webs,  the  latter  very  narrowly 
tipped  with  white.  Lower  parts  with  regular,  continuous, 
sharply  defined  broad  bars,  on  narrow  bands,  of  clear 
dusky-brown.  A  broad  stripe  of  plain  brownish-black  on 
side  of  head,  beneath  the  eye,  from  rictus  to  end  of  auri- 
culars ;  a  blotch  of  the  same  beneath  the  middle  of  the 
auriculars,  and  the  top  of  the  head  mostly  blackish,  leav- 
ing a  broad  superciliary  and  maxillary  stripe,  and  the 
whole  throat  immaculate  buff.  Neck-tults  [3,50  inches 
long,  deep  black;  the  longer  ones  uniform,  the  shorter 
with  only  the  edge  black,  the  whole  middle  portion  pale 
buff,  shading  into  deep  reddish-rusty  next  to  the  black. 
Wing,  9,00;  tail,  4,50;  bill,  .40  deep,  by  .50  long,  from  nos- 
tril;  tarsus,  2,10;  middle  toe,  1,85. 

Female  similar,  but  with  shorter  and  inconspicuous  cer- 
vical tufts.  Young  (25,998,  Eockford,  Illinois;  Blackman.) 
Above,  including  tail,  yellowish-brown  ;  feathers  with  con- 
spicuous white  shaft  streaks  and  large  blotches  of  deep 
black.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  with  whitish  spots.  Top 
of  head  rusty-brown  with  a  black  vertical  and  a  dusky 


PRAIRIE  HEN  ;  PRAIRIE  CHICKEN ;  PINNATED  GROUSE.    141 

auricular  patch.  Lower  parts  yellowish-white,  with  irreg- 
ular defined,  transverse,  grayish-brown  broad  bars ;  ante- 
riorly more  spotted,  the  jugulum  tinged  with  brown. 

Chick  (25,989,  Rockford,  Illinois.)  Bright  lemon-buff, 
tinged  on  sides  and  jugulum  with  reddish ;  upper  parts 
much  washed  with  rusty.  A  narrow  auricular  streak, 
blotches  on  the  vertex  and  occiput,  a  stripe  across  the 
shoulder,  and  blotches  down  the  middle  of  the  back  and 
rump,  deep  black. 

Hab. — Prairies  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  from  Louisiana, 
northward.  East  to  Pocono  Mountains,  Pennsylvania. 
Formerly  along  the  eastern  coast  of  the  United  States 
from  Long  Island  to  Cape  Cod,  or  farther.  A  few  still 
left  on  Naushon  (?)  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

A  pair  from  Calcasieu  Pass,  Louisiana,  most  resemble 
Illinois  specimens,  but  are  smaller,  (wing,  8,60,  instead  of 
9,00,)  and  there  is  rather  more  reddish,  with  less  black,  in 
the  plumage. 

Habits. — The  Pinnated  Grouse,  more  generally  known 
through  the  country  as  the  Prairie  Chicken  or  Prairie  Hen, 
once  occurred  as  far  to  the  East  as  Massachusetts,  a  few 
still  remaining  on  the  Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  and 
where  it  was,  in  the  early  settlementof  the  country,  a  very 
abundant  bird;  and  to  the  Southwest  to  Texas  and 
throughout  the  Indian  Territory,  where  it  appears  to  be 
extending  with  the  areas  developed  by  civilization,  while 
at  the  East  this  bird  has  almost  entirely  disappeared,  in 
(consequence  of  the  increase  of  population,  and  except  here 
and  there  in  a  few  small  and  distant  districts  has  disap- 
peared from  the  Middle  and  Eastern  States;  at  the  West 
and  Southwest  it  has  greatly  extended  its  distribution, 
appearing  in  considerable  numbers,  and  constantly  increas- 
ing as  the  country  is  settled  and  the  land  cultivated  with 
grain.  Even  in  Illinois,  where  there  has  been  a  large  in- 
crease of  population  during  the  past  ten  years,  these  birds 
are  known  to  have  become  much  more  numerous.  It  is, 
however,  probable  that  they  will  again  be  driven  from  this 
region  when  the   population   becomes  quite  dense.     Mr. 


142   PRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

Allen  met  with  this  species  in  several  points  in  Kansas  and 
in  Colorado,  where  they  had  either  just  made  their  appear- 
ance, or  where  they  had  recently  been  noticed,  and  were 
observed  to  be  on  the  increase.  The  small  remnants  left 
in  Massachusetts  are  protected  by  law,  which  may  pre- 
serve them  a  few  years  longer;  and  in  Illinois  and  other 
Western  States  stringent  provisions  seek  to  prevent  their 
wanton  destruction.  In  Michigan,  according  to  Mr.  D.  D. 
Hughes,  this  Grrouse  is  common  in  the  two  Southern  tiers 
of  counties,  but  is  rarely  met  with  in  that  State  farther 
North — an  absence  attributable  to  the  want  of  open  coun- 
try and  suitable  food,  as  West  of  Lake  Michigan  it  is  found 
in  great  abundance  much  farther  North.  In  the  more 
Southern  portion  of  the  State  it  is  already  very  rare,  and 
in  localities  completely  exterminated.  Dr.  Woodhouse 
found  this  bird  quite  abundant  throughout  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory; more  numerous,  however,  in  the  vicinity  of  settle- 
ments. During  the  Fall  of  1849,  as  he  was  passing  down 
the  Arkansas  Eiver,  along  the  road  leading  from  Fort  Gib- 
son to  Fort  Smith,  these  birds  were  in  large  flocks,  feeding 
among  the  oaks  upon  the  acorns ;  hundreds  were  to  be  seen 
at  the  same  time.  It  was  also  very  common  throughout 
Eastern  Texas.  Mr.  Dresser  found  the  Pinnated  Grouse 
very  common  in  travelling  from  Brownsville  to  Victoria, 
after  leaving  the  Chaparral  and  entering  the  Prairie  coun- 
try. Throughout  the  whole  of  the  prairie  country  of 
Texas  it  is  abundant.  They  were  found  by  Mr.  Audubon 
especially  abundant  in  the  States  of  Kentucky,  Missouri, 
Illinois,  and  Indiana,  where  his  observations  date  back 
more  than  half  a  century,  and  when  the  country  was  com- 
paratively unsettled.  It  was  there,  he  states,  in  what  was 
then  known  as  the  Barrens  of  Kentucky,  that  before  sun- 
rise, or  at  the  close  of  the  day,  he  "heard  its  curious  boom- 
ing, witnessed  its  obstinate  battles,  watched  it  during  the 
progress  of  its  courtships,  noted  its  nest  and  eggs,  and  fol- 
lowed its  young  until,  fully  grown,  the^^  betook  themselves 
to  winter  quarters."  When  he  first  removed  to  Kentucky 
the  Pinnated  Grouse  were  so  plentiful,  and  were  held  in 


PRAIRIE  HEN  ;   PRAIRIE  CHICKEN ;   PINNATED  GROUSE.    143 

such  low  estimation,  that  no  hunter  deigned  to  shoot  them. 
They  were,  moreover,  looked  upon  with  ill-favor  by  the 
inhabitants  on  account  of  the  mischief  the}^  committed 
among  the  fruit  trees  of  the  orchards  during  Winter,  when 
they  feed  upon  the  buds,  or  in  the  Spring,  when  they  con- 
sumed the  grain  in  the  fields.  In  those  days,  in  the  Win- 
ter, this  Grouse  would  enter  the  farm-yard  and  feed  among 
the  poultry,  would  even  alight  on  the  house-tops  or  walk 
in  the  streets  of  the  villages.  On  one  occasion  he  caught 
several  alive  in  a  stable  at  Henderson,  where  they  had  fol- 
lowed some  Wild  Turkeys.  Twenty-five  years  later,  Mr. 
Audubon  adds,  in  the  same  country  where  they  had  been 
so  very  abundant,  scarcely  one  could  be  found.  Mr.  Audu- 
bon speaks  of  their  selling  in  Eastern  markets,  in  1840,  at 
from  five  to  ten  dollars  per  pair.  This  is  so  no  longer,  fa- 
cilities in  railroad  transportation  and  their  continued  abun- 
dance at  the  West  rendering  them  a  comparatively  plentiful 
and  cheap  article  of  food.  Mr.  Audubon  mentions  that  at 
the  same  period  they  were  still  to  be  met  with  in  some 
portions  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  "bushy"  plains  of  Long 
Island,  on  Mount  Desert  Island  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and 
also  in  another  tract  of  barren  country  near  Mar's  Hill  in 
the  same  State.  In  regard  to  the  two  last  named  localities 
he  may  have  been  misinformed.  Mr.  Lawrence  mentions 
this  species  as  still  occurring  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York 
City.  Mr.  TurnbuU  mentioned  it  as  now  very  rare,  but 
occasionally  met  with  in  the  counties  of  Monroe  and  North- 
ampton in  Pennsylvania,  and  on  the  plains  in  New  Jersey. 
It  is  not  referred  to  by  either  Professor  Yerrill  or  Mr. 
Board  man  as  occurring  in  any  part  of  Maine.  It  is,  how- 
ever, given  by  Mr.  Mcllwraith  as  an  occasional  visitor  near 
Hamilton,  in  Canada,  on  the  western  frontier,  a  few  indi- 
viduals being  occasionally  observed  along  the  banks  of  the 
St.  Clair  Eiver,  but  not  known  to  occur  farther  East.  Mr. 
Audubon  also  mentions  having  found  these  birds  abundant 
in  all  the  vast  plains  bordering  on  the  j)rairies  of  the  Ar- 
kansas Kiver,  and  on  those  of  the  Opelousas  in  Louisiana. 
In  the  earliest  days  of  Spring,  even  before  the  snows  have 


^144     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

all  been  melted,  these  birds  no  longer  keep  in  large  flocks, 
but  separate  into  smaller  parties,  and  the  mating-season 
commences,  during  which  their  manners,  especially  those 
of  the  male,  are  very  peculiar  and  striking.     A  particular 
locality  is  selected,  to  which  they  resort  until  incubation 
has  commenced.     The  males  meet  in  this  place,  and  engage 
in  furious  battle  with  one  another.     At  this  season  they  are 
especially  conspicuous  for  their  great  pomposity  of  bearing ; 
with  tails  outspread  and  inclined  forward  to  meet  the  ex- 
panded feathers  of  their   neck,   and    with   the  globular, 
orange-colored,   bladder-like   receptacles   of  air   on   their 
necks  distended  to  their  utmost  capacity,  and  issuing  a  pe- 
culiar sound,  spoken  of  as  booming,  these  birds  strut  about 
in  the  presence  of  one  another  with  various  manifestations 
of  jealous  dislike  and  animosity,  soon  ending  in   furious 
contests.     Their  wings  are  declined,  in  the  manner  of  the 
Cock-Turkey,  and  rustle  on  the  ground  as  the  birds  pass 
and  repass  in  a  rapid  manner;  their  bodies  are  depressed, 
and  their  notes  indicate  their  intense  excitement.     Upon 
the  appearance  of  a  female  answering  to  their  calls,  they 
at  once  engage  in  their  desperate  encounters.     They  rise 
in  the  air  and  strike  at  one  another  in  the  manner  of  a 
Game  Cock,  and  several  engage  in  a  miscellaneous  scrim- 
mage, until  the  weaker  give  waj^,  and,  one  after  another, 
seek  refuge  in  the  neighboring  bushes,  the  few  remaining 
victors  discontinuing  their  contests  as  if  from  sheer  ex- 
haustion.    The  "booming"  or  "tooting"  sounds  made  by 
these  birds  is  heard  before  daybreak,  and  also  at  all  hours 
before  sunset,  in  places  where  they  are  abundant  and  tame  ; 
but  where  they  are  rare  and  wild  they  are  seldom  heard 
after  sunrise,  and  their  meetings  then  are  in  silence.    Even 
in  the  Fall  the  young  males  evince  their  natural  pugnacity 
by  engaging  in  short  battles,  which  their  parents  usually 
interrupt  and  put  a  stop  to.     This  bird  nests,  according  to 
the  locality  in  which  it  is  met  with,  from  the  beginning  of 
April  to  the  last  of  May.     In  Kentucky,  Mr.  Audubon  has 
found  their  nests  with  eggs  early  in  April,  but  the  average 
period  there  was  the  first  of  May.     Their  nests  he  describes 


PRAIRIIJ  HEN ;  PRAIRIE  CHICKEN ;  PINNATED  GROUSE.     145 

as  somewhat  carelessly  formed  of  dry  leaves  and  grasses, 
interwoven  in  a  tolerably  neat  manner,  and  always  very 
carefully  placed  among  the  tall  grass  of  some  large  tuft  in 
the  open  ground  of  the  prairies,  or,  in  barren  lands,  at  the 
foot  of  a  small  bush.     The  eggs  are  said  to  be  from  eight 
to  twelve  in  number,  never   more;  they  are  larger  and 
more  spherical  than  those  of  the  common  umbellus,  and  are 
of  a  darker  shade.     The  female   sits   upon   them   about 
twenty  days,  and  as  soon  as  the  young  can  extricate  them* 
selves  from  the  shell  the  mother  leads  them  away,  the  male 
having  previously  left  her.     Early  in  the  Fall  the  various 
broods  begin  again  to  associate  together,  and  at  the  ap- 
proach of  Winter  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  them  in  flocks 
of  several  hundred  individuals.     The  young  broods,  when 
come  upon  suddenly  and  taken  by  surprise,  instantly  scat- 
ter and  squat  close  to  the  ground,  so  that,  without  a  dog, 
it  is  impossible  to  find  them.     The  mother  gives  a  single 
loud  chuck  as  a  signal  of  danger,  and  the  young  birds  rise 
an  the  wing  and  fly  a  few  yards  in  diff'erent  directions,  and 
then  keep  themselves  perfectly  still  and  quiet  until  the 
mother  recalls  them  by  a  signal  indicating  that  the  peril 
has  passed.     In  the  meanwhile  she  resorts  to  various  de- 
vices to  .draw  the  intruder  away  from  the  place.     This 
Grouse  raises  but  a  single  brood  in  a  season ;  and  if  the 
first  laying  has  been  destroyed  or  taken,  the  female  seeks 
out  her  mate,  makes  another  nest,  and  produces  another 
set  of  eggs.     These  are  usually  smaller  in  size  and  less  in 
number  than  those   of  her  first  laying.     The   Pinnated 
Grouse  is  said  to  be  easily  tamed,  and  may  be  readily  do- 
mesticated, though  I  do  not  know  that  the  experiment  has 
been  thoroughly  tried.     Mr.  Audubon  once  kept  sixty  of 
them  in  a  garden  near  Henderson,  Ky.     Within  a  week 
they  became  tame  enough  to  allow  him  to  approach  them 
without  being  frightened.     He  supplied  them  with  abun- 
dance of  corn  and  other  food.     In  the  course  of  the  Winter 
they  became  so  gentle  as  to  feed  from  the  hand,  and  walked 
about  his  garden  like  so  many  tame  fowl,  mingling  occa- 
sionally with  the  poultry.     In  the  Spring  they  strutted, 
19 


146     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

*'tooted"  and  fought  as  if  in  their  wild  state.  Many  eggs 
were  deposited,  and  a  number  of  young  birds  were  hatched 
out;  but  they  proved  so  destructive  to  the  vegetables  that 
the  experiment  was  given  up  and  the  Grouse  were  killed. 
The  male  birds  were  conspicuous  for  their  courage,  and 
would  engage  in  contest  with  the  Turkey-Cocks,  and  even 
with  the  Dung-Hill  Cock,  rather  than  yield  the  ground. 
In  severe  weather  these  birds  have  been  known  to  roost  in 
trees,  but  they  generally  prefer  to  rest  on  the  ground.  Ad- 
vantage is  sometimes  taken  to  secure  them  by  visiting  their 
resting-places  in  the  night  with  nets.  On  the  ground  they 
walk  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the  common  Hen,  but  in 
a  more  erect  attitude.  When  surprised,  they  rise  with  a 
whirring  sound ;  but  if  they  perceive  the  approach  of  any 
one  at  a  sufficient  distance,  they  run  off  with  considerable 
speed,  and  hide  by  squatting  in  the  grass  or  among  bushes. 
They  are  fond  of  dusting  themselves  in  ploughed  fields  or 
in  dusty  roads,  rearranging  their  feathers  in  the  manner  of 
the  Wild  Turkey.  When  the  female,  with  her  young  brood, 
is  surprised,  she  instantly  ruffles  up  her  feathers,  and  acts 
as  if  she  contemplated  flying  in  your  face ;  this  she  rarely, 
if  ever,  attemps,  but  resorts  to  various  artifices  to  decoy 
the  intruder  away.  Their  flight  is  said  to  be  strong,  regu- 
lar, and  swift,  and  may  be  protracted  to  the  distance  of 
several  miles.  It  is  less  rapid  than  that  of  the  umbellus, 
and  the  whirring,  as  they  rise  from  the  ground,  less  con- 
spicuous. As  they  rise,  the}"  utter  four  or  five  very  distinct 
clucks,  but  at  times  fly  in  silence.  Their  flesh  is  dark,  and 
the  flavor  is  very  distinctly  gamy,  and  is  generally  re- 
garded as  excellent.  In  the  love-season  the  males  inflate 
the  two  remarkable  air  bladders,  which,  in  color  and  shape, 
resemble  small  oranges,  lower  their  heads  to  the  ground^ 
open  their  bills,  and  give  utterance  to  very  singular  and 
distinctly  separated  notes,  by  means  of  the  air  contained 
in  those  receptacles,  rolling  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the 
beatings  of  a  muffled  drum.  The  air-reservoirs  are  alter- 
nately filled  and  emptied  as  they  make  these  sounds.  Their 
notes  may  be  heard  to  the   distance   of  nearly   a   mile. 


PRAIRIE  HEN  ;    PRAIRIE  CHICKEN ;    PINNATED  GROUSE.    147 

When  these  skins  are  punctured,  they  are  no  longer  reso- 
nant. The  late  Mr.  David  Eckby,  of  Boston,  furnished 
Mr.  Audubon  with  a  full  account  of  their  habits,  as  observed 
by  him  in  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  also  on  the  Island  of 
Nashawena,  where  they  were  then  kept  in  a  preserve. 
They  were  observed  never  to  settle  down  where  the  woods 
were  thick  or  the  bushes  tangled,  but  invariably  in  the 
open  spaces;  and  as  they  never  start  up  from  the  thick 
foliage,  but  always  seek  to  disengage  themselves  from  all 
embarrassment  in  their  flight  by  reaching  the  nearest  open 
space,  they  offer  to  the  sportsman  a  very  fair  mark.  The 
sound  they  utter  in  rising,  when  hard  pressed,  is  said  to  re- 
semble the  syllables  coo-coo-coo.  They  were  observed  to 
feed  on  the  berries  of  the  barberry,  which  abound  on  those 
islands,  boxberries,  cranberries,  the  buds  of  roses,  pines, 
and  alders,  and  on  the  nuts  of  the  post  oaks,  and  in  the 
Summer  upon  the  more  esculent  berries.  At  the  West  they 
frequently  feed  on  the  seeds  of  the  sumach.  They  are  also 
very  destructive  to  the  buds  of  the  apple,  and  are  very 
fond  of  the  fruit  of  the  fox  grape  and  the  leaves  and  ber- 
ries of  the  mistletoe.  During  the  planting-season  their 
visits  to  the  wheat  and  corn-fields  are  often  productive  of 
great  damage.  Three  eggs  in  my  collection,  taken  from  a 
nest  near  Osage  Village,  in  Indian  Territory,  which  con- 
tained sixteen  eggs,  measure,  one  1,65,  by  1,20  inches; 
another  1,63  by  1,28;  and  the  third  1,75  by  1,28  inches. 
They  are  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  more  obtuse  at  one  end 
than  the  other,  and  of  a  uniform  color,  which  varies  from 
a  light  clay-color  to  a  dark  tawny-brown.  The  eggs  are 
sometimes,  but  not  always,  minutely  sprinkled  with  brown. 
—  Vol.  III.^  Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway. 


148     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


FEANKLIN'S  GEOUSE. 

Canace  canadensis,  Var.  franklini.— Duglass 

ift^ABITS. — From  the  Eocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  Oregon  to  high  northern  latitudes,  this 
*^^  variety  replaces  the  common  Spruce  Partridge  of  the 
Eastern  Continent.  Sir  John  Eichardson,  as  well 
as  Mr.  Drummond,  regarded  these  birds  as  only  a  western 
variety  of  the  canadensis.  The  latter,  who  had  ample  op- 
portunities for  studying  the  manners  of  both,  was  unable 
to  perceive  any  difference  between  them.  Mr.  Douglas 
took  a  different  view,  though  he  admitted  that  their  habits 
were  essentially  the  same.  Swainson  also  regarded  the 
two  birds  as  a  distinct  species.  This  variety  is  stated  by 
Eichardson  to  inhabit  the  valleys  of  the  Eocky  Mountains, 
from  the  sources  of  the  Missouri  to  those  of  the  Mackenzie ; 
and  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Douglas,  it  is  also  to  be  seen 
sparingly  on  the  elevated  platforms  that  skirt  the  snowy 
peaks  of  Mount  Hood,  Mount  St.  Helens,  and  of  Mount 
Baker,  where  it  is  said  to  run  over  the  shattered  rocks 
and  among  the  brush-wood  with  amazing  speed,  only 
using  its  wings  as  a  last  effort  to  escape.  Mr.  Douglas  also 
states  that  it  makes  its  nest  on  the  ground,  of  dried  leaves 
and  grass,  not  unfrequently  at  the  foot  of  decayed  stumps, 
or  by  the  side  of  fallen  timber  in  the  mountain  woods. 
The  eggs  are  incorrectly  described  as  of  a  dingy  white- 
ness, and  as  smaller  thanHhose  of  the  European  Columha 
palumhus. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  this  Grouse  abundant  in  the  Eocky 
as  well  as  in  the  Bitterroot  and  the  Cascade  Mountains, 
and  in  Washington  Territory,  near  the  Yakima  Passes. 
It  is  known  to  the  Indians  as  the  Tyee-kulla-kulla,  meaning 
the   gentleman-bird.     It   was  only  ^found  plentiful  in    the 


franklin's  grouse.  149 

eastern  portion  of  Washington  Territory.  Specimens  of 
this  species,  sent  by  Dr.  Suckley  to  the  Smithsonian  Insti- 
tution, were  procured  by  Mullan  in  St.  Mary's  Valley, 
in  the  Eocky  Mountains.  They  were  quite  common  in 
that  region,  and  were  readily  obtainable,  as  they  were 
very  tame  and  unsuspicious.  Mr.  George  Gihbs  informed 
Dr.  Suckley  that  in  November,  1847,  he  obtained  in  the 
Willamette  Valley  a  small  Grouse  that  may  probably  be 
referred  to  this  species. 

Mr.  Lord  thinks  that  this  species  is  rarely  found  west  of 
the  Cascades ;  but  on  the  Eastern  side  and  along  the  whole 
district  lying  between  the  Cascades  and  the  Eocky  Moun- 
tains it  is  common,  always  keeping  among  the  mountains, 
to  the  height  of  seven  thousand  feet.  He  regards  them  as 
one  of  the  most  stupid  of  birds.  When  several  are  flushed 
together,  they  fly  up  into  the  nearest  pine  tree,  from  which 
you  cannot  frighten  them  with  sticks  and  stones.  He  has 
often  shot  several  in  a  tree  where  there  were  others  with- 
out the  latter  attempting  to  fly  away.  During  the  wintep 
they  remain  in  the  deep  woods  and  sheltered  places,  and 
feed  on  the  buds  of  the  pines.  They  nest  in  early  May, 
and  have  chickens  in  June  and  July.  He  was  of  the  opin- 
ion that  these  birds  do  not  pair;  but  from  the  large  num- 
ber of  females,  as  compared  with  the  males,  he  thinks  they 
are  polygamists. 

Captain  Blakiston  considers  this  variety  to  be  confined 
to  the  Eocky  Mountains  and  the  country  between  that 
range  and  the  Pacific.  He  met  with  it  for  the  first  time 
while  following  an  Indian  trail  through  a  thick  pine 
woods,  from  the  summit  of  the  Kootenay  Pass  into  the 
valley  of  the  Flathead  Eiver.  The  bird  arose  and  perched 
itself  on  a  projecting  branch,  when  he  was  at  once  struck 
with  the  dissimilarity  to  the  Canada  Grouse,  which  was 
made  apparent  by  the  whiteness  of  its  flesh.  Afterwards 
he  procured  other  specimens.  He  describes  them  as  being 
quite  as  unsuspicious  and  stupid  as  the  Canada  Grouse, 
allowing  themselves  to  be  shot  on  the  trees  without  mak- 
ing any  attempt  to  escsL^e.—Baird,  Brewer  and  Eidgway. 


150     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PAETRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


DUSKY  GEOUSE. 
Canace  obscurus,  Var,  obscurus. — Sat. 

jABITS. — This  species  was  first  discovered  and  de- 
scribed by  Say  in  1820,  though  its  existence  had 
previously  been  known  to  the  fur  trappers.  Its  food 
consists  of  various  berries,  and  the  flesh  is  said  to  be 
very  palatable. 

Dr.  Newberry  pronounces  this  Grouse  decidedly  the 
handsomest  of  all  the  American  birds  of  this  family ;  its 
flesh  white,  and  fully  equal  to  that  of  the  eastern  Kufl'ed 
Grouse  or  Quail.  It  is  said  to  inhabit  the  evergreen  forests 
exclusively,  and  to  be  found  not  uncommonly  in  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  as  well  as  in  the  wooded  districts  of  the  country 
lying  between^  the  Sacramento  valley  and  the  Columbia, 
In  the  Cascade  Mountains  Dr.  Newberry  found  it  associated 
with  the  Euffed  Grouse,  which  it  resembles  in  habits  more 
than  any  other  species.  When  on  the  ground  they  lie 
very  close,  flying  up  from  your  very  feet  as  you  approach 
them,  and,  when  flushed,  always  take  to  a  tree,  from  which 
they  cannot  be  dislodged  except  by  shooting  them.  In  the 
Spring  the  male  sits  motionless  on  a  branch  of  a  pine  or  a 
spruce,  and  utters  a  booming  call,  which,  by  its  remark* 
able  ventriloquial  powers,  seems  rather  to  mislead  than  to 
direct  the  sportsman,  unless  he  is  experienced  in  shooting 
this  kind  of  Grouse. 

Mr.  George  Gibbs  informed  Dr.  Sucklej'-  that  he  has  met 
with  the  Dusky  Grouse  as  far  South  as  the  Russian  River 
Mountains,  in  California,  and  found  it  also  common  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Cascade,  as  far  north  as  the  49th  parallel. 
Dr.  Cooper's  account  of  these  birds  is  substantially  simi- 
lar to  the  account  given  by  Dr.  Suckley  of  the  fuUginosu^, 


DUSKY  GROUSE.  151 

He  found  it  common  in  most  of  the  forests,  especially  in 
the  dense  spruce  woods  near  the  coast.  It  was  rarely  seen 
on  the  open  prairie.  In  the  dense  woods  it  was  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  detect.  During  May,  near  the  coast,  and 
till  August,  on  the  mountains,  the  low  tooting  of  this 
Grouse  was  heard  everywhere,  sounding  something  like 
the  cooing  of  a  Pigeon,  but  in  the  same  deep  tone  as  the 
drumming  of  the  Euffed  Grouse.  Dr.  Cooper  also  mentions 
its  remarkable  powers  of  ventriloquism,  so  that  while  the 
bird  may  be  sitting  on  a  tree  directly  over  your  head  the 
sound  seems  to  come  from  places  quite  remote. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  states  that  the  Dusky  Grouse  is  found 
among  the  mountains  about  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mexico. 

This  Grouse  was  first  met  with  by  Mr.  Ridgway  on  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  in  the  vicinity  of  Carson  City,  where  it 
was  seen  in  the  possession  of  Indians  who  had  been  hunt- 
ing on  the  mountains.  It  was  found  on  the  East  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  in  the  month  of  September,  and  at  that 
time  occurred  in  small  flocks,  consisting  chiefly  of  young 
birds,  and  probably  composed  of  single  families.  After- 
wards, in  the  summer  of  1869,  it  was  found  in  considerable 
abundance  in  Parley's  Park,  a  few  miles  from  Salt  Lake 
City.  It  there  chiefly  inhabited  the  copses  of  scrub-oaks 
along  the  lower  border  of  coniferous  woods.  In  July  it 
was  found  in  the  Uintah  Mountains  in  very  great  abund- 
ance, and  for  a  while  formed  the  chief  subsistence  of  the 
party.  It  was  there  known  as  the  Mountain  Grouse. 
Nothing  very  distinctive  was  ascertained  in  regard  to  its 
habits,  except  it  was  said  to  resemble  very  closely,  in  man- 
ners, the  Rufl*ed  Grouse.     Its  flesh  was  excellent  eating. 

Dr.  Suckley,  in  a  series  of  papers  on  the  Grouse  of  the 
United  States,  which  were  read  before  the  New  York  Ly- 
ceum in  I860,  states  that  this  species  probably  extend  their 
range  to  quite  a  distance  south  of  latitude  40°  along  the 
line  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  New  Mexico.  This  writer 
claimed  to  have  met  with  them  near  Pike's  Peak,  in  the 
Cheyenne  Pass,  and  in  1853  he  found  them  in  great  num- 
bers in  Lewis  and  Clarke's  Pass,  west  of  Port  Benton.    He 


152     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

also  found  them  abundantly  in  Oregon  and  on  the  slopes  of 
the  cascade  and  coast  ranges,  extending  wherever  pine  or 
fir  timber  occurs,  to  the  very  borders  of  the  ocean.  The 
Black  Hills,  in  Nebraska,  he  gives  as  their  most  eastern 
limit. 

The  same  author  corrects  the  statement  of  Douglas  as  to 
certain  habits  of  this  species.  The  males  are  said  not  to 
be  particularly  pugnacious,  and  very  rarely  forsake  the 
boughs  of  the  pine  or  fir  trees  for  a  rocky  eminence.  They 
feed  on  berries  only  during  a  brief  season  in  autumn,  at 
all  other  times  of  the  year  subsisting  upon  the  leaves  of 
the  pine  and  fir,  especially  those  of  the  Douglas  Fir.  This 
food  imparts  a  strong  resinous  flavor  to  the  flesh  of  this 
Gfrouse,  which,  however,  is  not  unpleasant,  and  after 
awhile  becomes  quite  attractive  to  the  epicure.  The  love- 
notes  of  this  bird  are  said  to  be  deep,  soft,  plaintive,  but 
unmusical,  and  resemble  the  whirring  sounds  made  by  a 
rattan,  swung  rapidly  and  in  jerks  through  the  air.  These 
notes  usually  begin  the  first  week  in  March.  The  young 
are  able  to  fly  feebly  by  the  first  of  July.  By  the  last  of 
August  they  have  attained  their  full  size.  In  the  winter 
they  retire  to  the  tops  of  the  loftiest  firs,  where  they  pass 
the  season  in  an  almost  immovable  state  of  hibernation.. 
Between  July  and  winter  they  may  be  readily  shot.  Once 
raised,  they  invariably  fly  to  trees.  They  heed  but  little 
the  report  of  a  gun  unless  they  have  been  wounded.  Their 
flesh  is  said  to  be  midway  between  the  color  of  the  Pinna- 
ted and  Eufl'ed  Grouse,  partaking  of  their  good  qualities, 
but  surpassing  ejther. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  oval  in  shape ;  and  one  end 
is  a  little  more  obtuse  than  the  other.  The  ground  is  of  a 
pale  cream-color,  and  is  marked  with  small  rounded  spots 
of  reddish-brown.  These  are  more  numerous  and  lar^jer 
towards  the  larger  end.  They  measure  1.95  inches  in 
length,  and  1.45  in  hreadth. — Baird,  Brexoer  and  Bidgway. 


OREGON  DUSKY  GROUSE.  153 


OEEGON  DUSKY  GEOUSE. 

Canace  obsciirus,  Var,  fuliginosus  — Ridgwat. 

JABITS. — This  race  is  the  more  northern  and  north- 
western coast  form  of  the  Dusky  Grouse,  and  is 
found  from  the  Columbia  Eiver  and  British  Colum- 
bia to  Alaska.  According  to  Dr.  Suckley,  it  is  gen- 
erally known  as  the  Blue  Grouse  in  Oregon,  and  it  is  also 
called  the  Pine  Grouse,  as  well  as  the  Dusky  Grouse.  He 
met  with  it  for  the  first  time  when  his  party  had  reached 
the  main  chain  of  the  Eocky  Mountains,  and  where  they 
found  it  exceedingly  abundant,  as  afterwards  in  the  Blue 
Mountains  of  Oregon,  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and  in  all 
the  timbered  country  between  the  Coast  Eange  and  the 
Pacific  Ocean.  About  the  middle  of  November  these  birds 
are  said  to  entirely  disappear,  and  it  is  very  rare  to  meet 
with  even  a  single  individual  between  that  period  and  the 
20th  of  the  following  March.  As  to  their  whereabouts 
during  this  period  there  is  a  great  difference  of  opinion 
among  the  settlers.  Some  maintain  that  they  are  migra- 
tory and  retire  to  the  South.  Others  are  of  the  opinion 
that  they  retire  to  the  tops  of  the  highest  evergreen  trees, 
where  they  pass  the  cold  season  in  a  state  of  partial  torpor 
among  the  thickest  foliage  of  the  branches.  As  these 
birds  are  known  to  subsist  on  the  leaves  of  the  coniferce, 
and  can  always  obtain  sufficient  water  from  the  snow  and 
rain-drops  to  supply  their  wants,  Dr.  Suckley  was  inclined 
to  favor  the  latter  explanation  of  their  absence.  He  saw 
one  of  these  birds  on  the  ground  during  a  fall  of  snow,  in 
.January,  near  the  Nisqually  Eiver,  in  Washington  Terri- 
tory, and  he  was  informed  that  a  hunter  near  Olympia, 
whose  eyesight  was  remarkably  excellent,  was  able,  any 
20 


154     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

day  during  the  winter,  to  obtain  several  birds  by  searching 
carefully  for  them'  among  the  tree-tops  of  the  tallest  and 
most  thickly  leaved  firs.  This  requires  much  better  eye- 
sight than  most  men  possess,  for  these  birds  are  of  a  som- 
bre hue,  crowd  very  closely  to  the  limb,  and  sit  there  im- 
movable. They  are  therefore  very  difficult  to  find  among 
the  dense  branches. 

The  first  indication  of  their  presence  in  the  spring  is  the 
courting  call  of  the  male.  This  is  a  prolonged  sound,  re- 
sembling the  whir  of  a  rattan  cane  moved  rapidly  through 
the  air.  This  is  repeated  several  times  with  considerable 
rapidity,  and  then  stops  for  a  brief  interval.  This  is  said 
to  be  produced  by  the  alternate  inflation  and  contraction 
of  sacs,  one  on  each  side  of  the  throat,  which  are  usually 
concealed  by  the  feathers,  and  are  covered  by  an  orange- 
colored,  thick,  corrugated  skin.  At  Fort  Steilacoom  these 
birds  were  very  abundant  during  the  spring  and  early 
summer,  and  were  mostly  confined  to  the  forests  of  firs. 
Later  in  the  season,  and  after  hatching,  they  are  more  gen- 
erally found  on  the  ground  in  search  of  berries  and  seeds. 
When  alarmed,  they  seek  safety  among  the  dense  foliage 
of  the  trees,  seeming  instinctively  to  understand  the  ad- 
vantage of  thus  hiding.  He  has  known  an  entire  flock  of 
five,  concealed  among  the  ferns  and  grass,  to  be  shot  one 
hy  one,  without  an  attempt  being  made  by  a  single  indi- 
vidual to  fly.  This  Grouse  is  said  to  be  a  very  fine  table 
bird,  its  pine  taste  only  adding  to  its  game-flavor.  Their 
full  weight  is  from  2|  to  3}  pounds. 

Dr.  Cooper  never  met  with  the  nest  of  eggs  of  either  of 
the  races  of  the  Dusky  Grouse,  but  in  June  flocks  of  half- 
grown  young  were  killed  by  the  Indians  near  Puget 
Sound.  In  winter  they  were  so  rarely  seen  west  of  the 
mountains  that  they  arc  believed  to  keep  entirely  in  the 
trees.  In  October,  1853,  he  saw  a  flock  running  through 
the  snow  near  the  Spokane  Plains,  one  of  which  was  shot; 
but  he  never  afterwards  met  with  any  in  the  winter. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  found  this  Grouse  almost  exclusivelj'  on 
the  western  side  of  the  Kocky  Mountains.     It  appeared  at 


OREGON  DUSKY  GROUSE.  155 

Vancouver,  at  Nisqiially,  and  along  the  banks  of  the  Eraser 
River,  about  the  end  of  March,  the  male  bird  announcing 
his  coming  by  a  kind  of  love-song.  This  is  a  booming 
noise,  repeated  at  short  intervals,  and  so  deceptive,  that 
Mr.  Lord  has  often  stood  under  the  tree  where  the  bird 
was  perched  and  imagined  the  sound  came  from  a  distance. 

Mr.  [N'uttall  found  this  Grouse  breeding  in  the  shady 
forests  of  the  region  of  the  Columbia,  where  he  saw  or 
heard  them  throughout  the  summer.  He  describes  the 
tooting  made  by  the  male  as  resembling  the  sound  caused 
by  blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  a  barrel.  They  breed  on 
the  ground,  and  are  said  to  keep  the  brood  together  all 
winter. 

Townsend  describes  the  eggs  as  numerous,  of  a  cinere- 
ous-brown color,  blunt  at  both  ends,  and  small  for  the  bird. 
The  actions  of  the  female,  when  the  young  are  following 
her,  are  said  to  be  exactly  similar  to  those  of  the  Ruffed 
Grouse,  employing  all  the  artifices  of  that  bird  in  feigning 
lameness,  etc.,  to  draw  off  intruders. — Baird,  Brewer  and 
Ridgway. 


156     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


EICHAKDSON'S  DUSKY  GEOUSE. 
Canace  obscurus,  Var,  richardsoni, — Douglas. 

JABITS. — In  regard  to  distinctive  peculiarities  in 
habits  and  manners,  of  this  form  of  Grrouse,  if  it 
possesses  any,  our  information  is  quite  limited.  In 
its  external  markings  and  in  size  it  appears  to  be 
readily  distinguishable  from  the  T.  obscurus,  either  specifi- 
cally or  as  a  well-marked  interior  race. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  refers  to  it  in  his  account  of  the  obscurus, 
where  he  states  that  between  the  Cascades  and  the  Eocky 
Mountains  the  Dusky  Grouse  appears  to  be  replaced  by  a 
well-marked  variety,  if  a  not  distinct  species.  In  size  it  is 
a  trifle  smaller,  but  the  great  mark  of  distinction  is  th6 
entire  absence  of  the  white  band  at  the  end  of  the  tail. 
In  their  habits,  in  their  periods  of  arrival  and  departure, 
or  rather  of  appearance  and  disappearance,  the  two  varie- 
ties are  pronounced  to  be,  in  every  respect,  similar.  In  re- 
gard to  their  unexplained  disappearance  and  reappearance, 
Mr.  Lord  is  of  the  opinion  that  these  birds  do  not  migrate, 
but  only  retire  into  the  thickest  trees,  and,  living  on  the 
buds,  pass  the  winter  thus  sheltered  in  the  tree-tops. 

Captain  Blakiston  thinks  that  this  species  is  the  form 
that  inhabits  the  interior  of  British  North  America,  and 
refers  the  figure  of  the  male  in  Eichardson's  Fauna  to  the 
richardsoni — the  Black-tailed  and  smaller  species.  In  his 
wanderings  he  met  with  these  birds  only  in  or  near  the 
pine  woods  on  the  slopes  of  the  Eocky  Mountains ;  but, 
having  killed  only  females,  he  could  not  feel  certain  of  the 
species.  These  Grouse  range  towards  the  Pacific  as  far  as 
the  Cascade  Mountains  of  Oregon  and  British  Columbia, 
and  along  the  Eocky  Mountains  from  the  head- waters  of 


RICHARDSON'S  DUSKY  GROUSE.  157 

the  Platte  to  the  Liard  Kiver,  a  tributary  of  the  Macken- 
zie. When  the  ranges  of  the  two  species  are  fully  defined, 
he  thinks  the  T.  richardsoni  will  be  found  the  more  north- 
em  bird. 

The  eggs  of  Tetrao  richardsoni  are  veiy  similar,  except 
in  size,  to  those  of  the  obscurus,  resembling  them  closely  in 
their  ground-color,  as  well  as  in  their  markings.  In  the 
specimens  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Boston  Natural  History 
Society  the  spots  are  smaller,  a  little  less  distinct,  and  less 
numerous.  The  eggs  are  1.75  inches  in  length  and  from 
1.35  to  1.36  in  breadth. — Baird,  Brewer  and  Bidgway. 


158   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


SAGE  COCK;  COCK  OF  THE  PLAINS. 

Controcercus  urophasianus,  (Bon)— Sw. 

MABITS. — The  Cock  of  the  Plains  appear  to  be  con- 
^1  fined  to  dry  and  sterile  regions,  from  the  Black 
Hills  to  California  and  Oregon,  and  from  British 
Columbia  nearly  to  Arizona,  but  only  in  those  por- 
tions of  the  Plains  in  which  the  Artemisia  or  sage  abound. 
It  was  met  w^ith  by  Townsend  for  the  first  time  about  fifty 
miles  west  of  the  Black  Hills.  He  did  not  find  them  in  the 
valley  of  the  Snake  Kiver,  but  saw  them  again  at  Wallah- 
Wallah,  on  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  and  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Lewis  Eiver.  He  only  found  it  on  the  plains  that 
produce  the  wormwood,  on  which  plant  it  feeds,  and  in 
consequence  of  which  the  flesh  becomes  so  bitter  that  it  is 
unfit  for  food.  It  was  very  unsuspicious  and  easily  ap- 
proached, rarely  flying  unless  hard  pressed,  and  running 
ahead  at  the  distance  of  a  few  feet,  clucking  like  the  com- 
mon Hen.  When  disturbed  it  would  often  run  under  the 
horses'  feet.  According  to  his  account  it  rises  very  clum- 
sily, but,  when  once  started,  flies  with  great  rapidity  and 
also  to  a  great  distance.  It  is  said  to  have  the  sailing  mo- 
tion of  the  Pinnated  Grouse.  They  are  abundant  in  au- 
tumn on  the  branches  of  the  Columbia,  at  which  time  they 
are  regarded  as  g:)od  food  by  the  natives,  and  are  taken 
in  great  quantities  in  nets. 

Mr.  Nuttall  met  with  this  Grouse  in  considerable  num- 
bers on  the  north  branch  of  the  Platte.  They  were  always 
on  the  ground  in  small  flocks  or  pairs,  by  no  means  shy  ; 
but  when  too  nearl^^  approached,  uttering  a  rather  loud  but 
?<hort  guttural  cackle,  and  rising  with  a  strong  whirring 
sound.     Their  notes,  at  times,  strongly  resemble  those  of 


SAGE  COCK ;  COCK  OF  THE  PLAINS.  159 

the  common  Hen.    He  never  met  with  them  in  any  forest, 
nor  have  they  been  taken  near  the  coast  of  California. 

This  species  was  first  obtained  by  Lewis  and  Clarke's 
party  in  their  expedition  to  the  Eoeky  Mountains.  It  was 
afterT,\:ard8  met  with  by  Douglas,  who  published  in  the 
Linnsean  Transactions  (XVI,  p.  133),  an  account  of  its 
habits.  He  described  its  flight  a  slow,  unsteady,  and  as 
affording  but  little  amusement  to  the  sportsman ;  being  a 
succession  of  flutterings,  rather  than  anything  else.  They 
rise  hurriedly,  giving  two  or  three  flaps  of  the  wing,  swing- 
ing from  side  to  side  in  their  movement,  and  gradually 
falling,  making  a  whirring  sound,  at  the  same  time  utter- 
ing a  cry  of  cuck-cuck-cuck,  like  the  common  Pheasant. 
They  pair  in  March  and  April. 

At  the  mating-season  the  male  is  said  to  select  some 
small  eminence  on  the  banks  of  streams  for  the  very  sin- 
gular performance  it  goes  through  with  at  that  period  in 
the  presence  of  its  mate.  The  wings  are  lowered  and  drag- 
ged on  the  ground,  making  a  buzzing  sound ;  the  tail, 
somewhat  erect,  is  spread  like  a  fan,  the  bare  and  yellow 
oesophagus  is  inflated  to  a  prodigious  size,  and  said  to  be- 
come nearly  half  as  large  as  its  body,  while  the  silky  flex- 
ile feathers  on  the  neck  are  erected.  Assuming  this  gro- 
tesque form,  the  bird  proceeds  to  display  a  singular  variety 
of  attitudes,  at  the  same  time  chanting  a  love-song  in  a 
confused  and  grating,  but  not  an  offensively  disagreeable 
tone,  represented  as  resembling  hurr-hurr-hurr-r-r-r-hoo,  end- 
ing in  a  deep  and  hollow  utterance. 

Their  nests  were  found,  by  Douglas,  on  the  ground,  un- 
der the  shade  of  Artemisia,  or  when  near  streams,  among 
Phalaris  arundinacea,  and  were  carefully  constructed  of  dry 
grass  and  slender  twigs.  The  eggs  are  said  to  be  as  many 
as  from  thirteen  to  seventeen  in  number,  and  the  period  of 
incubation  to  be  twenty-one  or  twenty-two  days.  The 
young  leave  the  nest  soon  after  they  are  hatched. 

In  the  winter  these  birds  are  said  to  be  found  in  large 
flocks  of  several  hundreds,  in  the  spring  in  pairs,  and  later 
in  the  summer  and  fall  in  small  family  groups.     They  were 


160   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

abundant  throughout  the  barren  arid  plains  of  the  Colum- 
bia and  in  Northern  California,  but  were  not  met  with  east 
of  the  Kocky  Mountains. 

Dr.  Newberry  regards  this  Grouse,  when  in  full  plumage, 
as  rather  a  handsome  bird,  and  much  better  looking  than 
any  figure  he  has  seen  of  it.  It  is  much  the  largest  of 
American  Grouse,  weighing  from  five  to  six  pounds.  The 
female  is  much  smaller  than  the  male,  and  is  of  a  uniform 
sober-brown  color.  The  male  bird  has  a  distinctive  char- 
acter in  the  spaces  of  bare  orange-colored  skin  which  oc- 
cupy the  sides  of  the  neck,  and  are  usually  concealed  by 
the  feathers,  but  may  be  inflated  to  a  great  size.  The  spe- 
cies was  not  found  in  the  Valleys  of  California,  but  belongs 
both  to  the  fauna  of  the  interior  basin  and  to  that  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  the  dry  desert  country  lying  on  both 
flanks  of  this  chain.  He  first  found  it  high  up  on  Pit 
River,  and  once  came  suddenly  upon  a  male  in  an  oasis 
near  a  warm  spring,  which  started  up  with  a  great  flutter 
and  rush,  and,  uttering  a  hoarse  hek-hek,  flew  ofi"  with  an 
irregular  but  remarkably  well-sustained  flight,  which  was 
continued  until  the  bird  was  out  of  sight.  In  searching 
around  he  soon  found  its  mate,  which  rose  from  under  a 
sage-bush  with  a  noise  like  a  whirlwind.  This  specimen 
was  secured,  and  these  birds  were  afterwards  found  to  be 
quite  abundant,  but  very  strong-winged  and  difficult  to 
kill.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing.  Dr.  Kennerly  states,  for 
him  to  pour  a  full  charge  of  shot  into  them  at  a  short 
distance,  dislodging  a  quantity  of  feathers,  and  yet  to  have 
them  fly  off"  to  so  great  a  distance  before  they  dropped  that 
he  could  not  follow  them.  He  found  them  only  in  the  vi- 
cinity" of  the  bugc-bushes,  under  which  they  were  usually 
concealed.  He  afterwards  saw  them  very  abundant  on 
the  shores  of  Wright  and  Rhett  Lake.  In  one  instance 
he  observed  a  male  bird  to  sink  down  on  the  ground,  as  the 
train  approached,  depressing  its  head,  and  lying  as  motion- 
less as  a  stick,  which  it  greatly  resembled.  As  he  moved 
towards  it,  the  bird  lowered  its  head  until  it  rested  on  the 
ground,  and  made  itself  as  small  as  possible,  and  did  not 


SAGE  COCK  ;  COCK  0¥  THE  PLAINS.  161 

» 

rise  until  he  had  arrived  within  fifteen  feet  of  it.  We^t  of 
the  Cascade  Range  it  did  not  occur,  and  all  its  preferences 
and  habits  seemed  to  fit  it  for  the  occupancy  of  the  sterile 
region  of  the  central  desert.  Its  flesh  is  dark  and  highly 
flavored  with  the  wormwood.  The  young,  if  parboiled 
and  stewed,  are  said  to  be  quite  good ;  but,  on  the  whole, 
this  Grouse  is  inferior  for  the  table  to  any  other  American 
8i>ecies. 

Dr.  Cooper  gives  this  bird  as  common  in  Washington 
Territorj^,  on  the  high  barren  hills  and  deserts  east  of  the 
Cascade  Mountains,  and  limited  in  its  range  by  the  growth 
of  the  Artemisia  tridentata,  the  leaves  of  which  shrub  seem 
to  be  the  principal  part  of  its  food ;  the  flesh  tasting  so 
strongly  of  it  as  to  be  unpalatable.  He  saw  none  north  of 
the  Spokane  Plains,  the  country  being  apparently  too 
woody.  On  those  plains  they  were  very  common.  He 
describes  its  flight  as  more  heavy  and  less  noisy  than  that 
of  most  Grouse,  and  when  they  are  started,  it  commonly 
extends  a  long  distance  before  alighting. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  the  Sage-Cock  abundant  on  the  plains 
of  Oregon,  near  Snake  River,  on  both  sides  of  the  Blue 
Mountains,  as  also  along  the  line  of  the  Columbia,  on  the 
open  plains,  and  on  the  sage-barrens  of  the  Yakima  and 
Simcoe  Yalleys, — in  fact,  wherever  the  artemisia  was  found. 
The  leaves  of  this  shrub  either  are  preferred  or  are  neces- 
sary to  its  existence,  for  no  other  food  was  found  in  their 
full  stomachs,  even  in  localities  where  abundance  of  grass 
seed,  wild  grain,  grass  hoppers,  and  other  kinds  of  food, 
might  be  found.  This  species  has  apparently  the  power  of 
going  a  long  while  without  water.  Lieutenant  Fleming 
informed  Dr.  Suckley  that  he  found  them  about  twelve  miles 
west  of  Fort  Laramie,  but  thej^  were  not  seen  east  of  that 
])oint  so  far  south.  In  August,  1853,  one  was  procured 
about  two  hundred  miles  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
He  also  observed  a  small  flock  on  the  plains  bordering  on 
Milk  River,  in  Nebraska.  Near  Soda  Lake,  the  sink  of 
the  Mohave  River,  Dr.  Cooper  met  it,  which  is  without 

21 


162    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

doubt  the  most  southern  point  at  which  it  has  been  disco- 
vered. 

Dr.  Coues  has  never  met  with  it  in  Arizona. 

Mr.  Ridgway  encountered  it  everywhere  in  the  Great 
Basin  where  there  was  a  thrifty  growth  of  the  artemisia, 
Avhieh  appears  everywhere  to  regulate  its  existence.  He 
corroborates  the  account  given  of  its  heavy,  lumbering 
flight;  and  when  it  has  once  escaped,  it  flies  so  far  that 
the  sportsman  rarely  has  a  second  opportunity  to  flush  it. 
It  rises  apparently  with  great  effort.  He  was  told  by  the 
settlers  of  Nevada  and  Utah  that  the  Sage-Hen  was  never 
known  to  touch  grain  of  any  kind,  even  when  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  grain  fields.  This  is  attributed  to  a  very 
curious  anatomical  peculiarity  of  the  species, — the  entire 
absence  of  a  gizzard  ;  having  instead  a  soft  membraneous 
stomach,  rendering  it  impossible  to  digest  any  hard  food. 
In  a  large  number  of  specimens  dissected,  nothing  was 
found  but  grass-hoppers  and  leaves  of  the  artemisia. 

Two  eggs  in  my  cabinet,  from  Utah,  measure,  one  2.20 
by  1.50  inches,  and  the  other  2.15  by  1.45.  They  are  of 
an  elongate-oval  shape,  slightly  pointed  at  one  end. 
Their  ground  color  varies  from  a  light-greenish  drab  to  a 
drab  shaded  with  buff.  They  are  thickly  freckled  with 
small  rounded  spots  of  reddish  brown>  and  dark  chestnut. 
— Balr>L  Brewer  and  Eidgivay. 


SHARP-TAILED  GROUSE.  .  163 


SHAEP-TAILED  GEOUSE. 

'  Pedioecetes  phasianellus,  Var,  phasianellus. —Elliot. 

Habits.— The  Arctic  form  of  the  Sharp-tailed  Grrouse 
is  found  throughout  the  Arctic  regions,  from  Alaska 
southward  and  eastward  to  an  extent  not  fully  as- 
certained. Mr.  Dall  states  that  this  variety  is  not 
uncommen  at  Fort  Yukon,  where  Mr.  Lockhart  found  it 
breeding  and  obtained  its  eggs.  It  has  also  been  seen  some 
two  hundred  miles  down  the  river,  but  it  is  said  not  to  be 
found  below  the  canon  known  as  the  Eamparts.  Captain 
Ketchum,  in  his  adventurous  winter  trip  from  Nulato  to 
Fort  Yukon,  is  said  to  have  killed  several  of  these  birds. 
Specimens  are  in  the  Smithsonian  Museum  from  Moose 
Factory  and  elsewhere  along  the  southern  part  of  Hudson's 
Bay,  and  it  is  said  to  be  abundant  about  Nipigon  Lake, 
north  of  Lake  Superior. 

Mr.  Kennicott  found  the  nest  of  this  bird  at  Fort  Yukon, 
at  the  foot  of  a  clump  of  dwarf  willows.  It  was  in  dry 
ground,  and  in  a  region  in  which  these  willows  abounded 
and  were  quite  thickly  interspersed  with  other  trees,  espe- 
cially small  spruces,  but  no  large  growth.  The  nest  is  said 
to  have  been  similar  to  that  of  Cupidonia  cupido.  Mr.  Lock- 
hart  also  found  it  breeding  in  the  same  region.  The  nests 
seen  by  him  were  likewise  built  on  a  rising  ground  under 
a  few  small  willows. 

Eichardson  assigns  as  the  northern  limit  of  this  species 
the  region  of  the  Great  Slave  Lake,  latitude  61°  and  as  its 
most  southern  point  latitude  41°.  It  was  found  in  abund- 
ance on  the  outskirts  of  the  Saskatchewan  plains,  and 
throughout  the  wooded  districts  of  the  fur  countries,  fre- 
quenting the  open  glades  or  low  thickets  on  the  borders 


164   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

of  lakes,  especially  where  the  forests  have  been  partially 
cleared;  perching  on  trees  in  the  winter,  but  keeping  to  the 
ground  in  summer;  and,  at  all  seasons,  met  with  in  small 
flocks  of  from  ten  to  sixteen.  They  are  said,  early  in 
spring,  to  select  some  level  place,  where  a  covey  meets 
every  morning  and  runs  round  in  a  circle  of  about  twenty 
feet  in  diameter,  so  that  the  grass  is  worn  quite  bare.  If 
anj-  one  approaches  this  circle,  the  birds  squat  close  to  the 
ground  ;  but  if  not  alarmed  by  a  too  near  approach,  they 
soon  stretch  out  their  necks  to  survey  the  intruder,  and 
resume  their  circular  course,  some  running  to  the  right 
and  others  to  the  left,  meeting  and  crossing  each  other. 
These  "partridge-ilances"  are  said  to  last  a  month  or  moi*e, 
or  until  the  female  begins  to  incubate.  This  Grouse  rises 
from  the  ground  with  the  usual  whirring  noise,  and  alights 
again  at  a  distance  of  a  few  hundred  yards,  sometimes  on 
the  ground  or  on  the  branches  of  a  tree.  In  winter  they 
hide  in  the  snow,  and  make  their  way  with  ease  through 
the  loose,  drifts,  feeding  on  the  buds  of  the  willows,  larches, 
aspens,  etc.  In  summer  and  autumn  their  food  is  princi- 
pally berries.  They  are  said  to  lay  about  thirteen  eggs 
early  in  June ;  the  nest  being  on  the  ground,  formed  of 
grasses  lined  with  feathers. 

The  eggs  of  this  variety  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
cohfuibianvs,  but  are  generally  of  a  decidedly  darker 
ground.  They  average  1.75  inches  in  length  by  1.28  in 
breadth.  Their  ground  is  a  dark  tawny-brown,  minutely 
dotted  with  darker  spots  of  brown. — Baird,  Breiver  and 
Ri(Jg7cay. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  PARTRIDGE.  165 


THE  TEXAS  PRAIRIE  HEN. 

Cupidonia  cupido,  Var,  pallidicinctus. — Ridgway. 

|ABITS. — Southwestern  Prairies  (Staked  Plains, 
Texas?)  In  its  relations  with  the  C.  cupido,  this 
race  bears  a  direct  analogy  to  Pedioecetes  columbianus, 
as  compared  with  P.  phasianellus  and  to  Ortyx  tex- 
(mus,  as  distinguished  from  0.  virglnianus.  Thus  in  a  much 
less  development  of  the  tarsal  feathers  it  agrees  with  the 
southern  Pedioecetes,  while  in  paler,  grayer  colors,  and 
smaller  size,  it  is  like  the  southwestern  Ortyx. — Baird, 
Brewer  and  Bidgway. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  PARTRIDGE. 

Bonasa  umbellus,  Var,  umbelloides. — Douglas. 

ij^ABITS. — In  regard  to  the  habits  of  this  variety  we 
have  no  information.  It  was  found  by  Mr.  Drum- 
mond  among  the  Rocky  Mountains,  near  the  sources 
of  the  tributaries  of  the  Saskatchewan.  He  states  that 
those  he  met  with  were  at  least  one-third  smaller  than  the 
irmbdlus,  had  a  much  grayer  plumage  and  a  shorter  ruffle. 
He  regarded  it  as  a  distinct  species  from  the  common  Par- 
tridge, which  he  also  encountered  in  the  same  locality. 

Mr.  Ridgway  met  with  this  variety  on  the  Wahsatch 
Mountains  in  October  and  during  the  summer.  It  was 
known  in  that  locality  as  the  Pine  Hen,  in  distinction  from 
the  T.  ohscurus,  which  was  known  as  the  Mountain  Grouse 


166     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

The  eggs  of  this  variety  measure  1.62  inches  in  length 
by  1.20  in  breadth.  Their  ground-color  is  a  deep  uniform 
cream,  darker  than  in  the  umbellus.  They  are  occasional!}^ 
marked  with  dark  tints  of  the  same. — Baird,  Brewer  and 
Ridgway. 


THE  OREGON  GUOUSE.  167 


THE  OKEGON  GEOUSE. 

Bonasa  umbellus,  Var,  sabini. — Douglas. 

fi^ABITS.— The  Western  Euffed  Grouse  was  found 
abundant  by  Dr.  Suckley  in  the  timbered  districts 
throughout  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory.  Its 
habits  seemed  to  be  identical  with  those  of  the  East- 
ern birds.  Owing  to  the  mildness  of  the  season  in  the  vi- 
cinit}^  of  Fort  Steilacoom,  the  males  commenced  drumming 
as  early  as  January,  and  in  February  they  are  heard  to 
drum  throughout  the  night.  In  the  autumn  they  collect 
in  great  numbers  in  the  crab  apple  thickets  near  the  salt 
marshes  at  the  mouths  of  the  rivers  emptying  into  Puget 
Sound.  There  they  feed  for  about  six  weeks  on  the  ripe 
fruit  of  the  northwestern  crab-apple,  the  Fyrus  rivularis  of 
Nuttall. 

Dr.  Cooper  also  speaks  of  this  Grouse  as  very  abundant 
everywhere  about  the  borders  of  woods  and  clearings.  It 
was  common  near  the  forests  east  of  the  Cascade  Moun- 
tains up  to  the  49th  degree.  These  birds  vary  in  plumage 
there,  a  pale-grayish  hue  predominating.  West  of  the 
mountains  they  are  all  of  a  very  dark  brown.  There  was, 
however,  no  perceptible  diiference  in  their  habits  or  cries 
from  those  of  the  same  bird  elsewhere. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  assigns  to  this  species  an  extended  geo- 
graphical range  west  of  the  Eocky  Mountains, — from  the 
borders  of  California,  throughout  Oregon  and  Washington 
Territory,  extending  high  up  on  the  slopes  of  the  Eocky 
Mountains,  plentiful  in  all  the  timbered  lands  between  the 
Cascades  and  the  rocky  ruts  along  the  banks  of  the  Co- 
himbia,  over  the  ridge  of  the  Cascades,  and  down  their 
western  slopes  to  Frazer's  Eiver,  in  all  the  islands  of  the 


168     PRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

Gulf  of  Georgia,  and  everywhere  on  Yaneoiiver  Island  to 
its  extreme  northern  end,  and  on  the  mainland  as  far  north 
as  latitude  53°.  The  habits  of  this  Grouse  are  described 
as  singularly  erratic  and  its  food  as  varied  as  its  character. 
In  the  spring  their  favorite  haunt  is  in  the  vicinity  of  stag- 
nant pools,  or  in  the  brush  around  a  marsh  in  which  the 
Avild  swamp-crab,  the  black  birch,  and  the  alder  grow.  In 
such  places  they  mate,  and  during  the  breeding-season  are 
said  to  be  very  constant  and  devoted.  During  the  time  of 
pairing,  and  at  intervals  after  their  young  are  hatched, 
the  male  produces  the  sound  known  as  drumming.  The 
bird  is  said  to  squat  on  a  log  or  a  fallen  tree,  motionless  as 
though  it  had  no  life.  Suddenly  all  the  feathers  appear  as 
if  reversed,  the  tail  is  erected,  the  ruff  round  its  neck  stands 
out  stiff  and  rigid,  and  the  wings  droop  as  if  broken.  These 
slowly  vibrate,  and  then  produce  a  sound  loud  and  clear, 
like  the  thrum  of  a  double-bass  string.  Then  the  wings 
move  with  increased  rapidity,  and  the  sound  becomes  a 
continuous  throbbing  hum.  It  then  suddenly  ceases,  and 
after  a  few^  minutes  the  same  performance  is  repeated. 

Mr.  Lord  also  states  that  he  has  seen  the  males  of  this 
species  fighting  furiously  during  the  pairing  season.  Ruff- 
ing up  their  necks,  with  their  heads  and  backs  almost  in  a 
straight  line,  and  with  wrings  dropped,  they  circle  round 
and  round  each  other,  striking  and  pecking  until  the  van- 
quished gives  in,  and  the  victor  mounts  upon  a  log  and 
proceeds  to  drum  furiou8l3\  Their  nest  is  com2:)leted  about 
the  end  of  May,  and  is  always  placed  under  a  log  on  the 
ground,  or  at  the  foot  of  a  bush.  It  is  composed  of  a  quan- 
tity of  dead  leaves,  lined  with  dry  grasses,  bits  of  moss, 
and  a  few  feathers. 

Mr.  Lord  adds  that  he  found  at  least  ten  nests  of  this 
bird  in  one  swamp  near  the  Spokane  Prairies.  From  ten 
to  fourteen  eggs  was  about  the  average  number;  'they  are 
described  as  in  color  of  a  dirty  white,  and  without  any 
spots  or  freckles  of  a  darker  shade.  The  chickens  at  once 
leave  the  nest  and  follow  their  mother,  who  calls  them 
with   a  clucking  sound,  in  the  manner  of  a  Hen,  covers 


THE  OREGON  GROUSE.  169 

them  when  restinj^,  and  uses  all  kinds  of  feints  and  strata- 
gems to  lure  an  intruder  from  her  j^oung,  fluttering  along 
close  to  his  feet  as  if  her  wings  were  entirely  disabled, 
and  then,  when  her  chickens  hav^e  had  time  to  conceal 
themselves,  suddenly  darting  ofl".  AVhen  frightened,  this 
Grouse  rises  with  a  loud  rattling  sound;  but  its  natural 
upward  movement  is  noiseless. 

After  the  chickens  are  old  enough,  the  flock  removes 
to  open  hill-sides  where  grass-seed,  berries,  and  insects  are 
in  abundance.  This  Grouse  never  packs,  but  remains  in 
broods.  In  the  fall,  before  they  begin  to  feed  on  the  spruce 
buds,  their  flesh  is  said  to  be  delicious;  but  after  the  snow 
shuts  them  off"  from  other  food  they  feed  on  the  fir  buds, 
and  then  their  flesh  acquires  a  strong  flavor  of  turpentine. 

In  the  tree  this  Grouse  is  not  an  easy  bird  to  discover ; 
so  closely  docs  its  plumage  resemble  the  lichen-covered 
bark  that  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  them,  especially  as, 
when  alarmed,  they  crouch  down  lengthwise  with  the 
limb,  and  thus  become  concealed. — Baird,  Brewer  and 
Ridgway. 


22 


170   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


WILLOW  GEOUSE;  WHITE  PTAEMIGAK 

Lagopus  alb  us. — Aud. 

[1^  A  BITS. — Eichardson  regarded  this  species  as  an  in- 
^Mi  habitant  of  the  fur  countries  from  the  50th  to  the 
^^^  70th  parallel  of  latitude,  being  partially  migratory 
^  within  those  limits.  It  was  found  to  breed  among 
the  valleys  of  the  Eocky  Mountains,  on  the  barren  grounds, 
and  along  the  Arctic  coasts.  On  the  approach  of  winter  it 
collects  in  flocks,  and  retires  southward  as  the  severity  of 
the  weather  increases.  They  remain,  however,  in  consid- 
erable numbers  as  far  north  as  latitude  67°,  even  in  the 
coldest  winters.  It  was  found  to  be  tolerably  abundant  at 
the  65th  parallel  all  the  year,  assembling  in  vast  flocks  on 
the  shores  of  Hudson  Bay  in  the  winter  time.  Mr. 
Hutchins  states  that  ten  thousand  of  these  birds  have  been 
captured  in  a  single  season  at  Severn  Eiver.  Eichardson 
adds  that  in  1819  these  birds  made  their  first  appearance 
at  Cumberland  House,  latitude  54°,  in  the  second  week  of 
November,  and  that  they  returned  to  the  northward  again 
before  the  beginning  of  spring.  In  the  winter  they  are 
said  to  shelter  themselves  in  thickets  of  willows  and  dwarf 
birches,  on  the  banks  of  marshes  and  lakes,  the  buds  of  the 
smaller  shrubs  being  the  principal  part  of  their  food  at 
that  season.  Denuded  sandy  spots  were  their  favorite  re- 
sorts in  the  day  time,  but  they  passed  their  nights  in  holes 
in  the  snow.  When  pursued  by  sportsmen  or  birds  of 
prey,  they  often  terminate  their  flight  by  hastily  diving 
into  the  loose  snow,  working  their  wa}"  beneath  its  sur- 
face with  considerable  celerity.  In  thick,  windy,  or  snowy 
weather  they  were  very  shy,  perching  on  the  taller  wil- 
lows, where  it  required  a  sharp  eye  to  distinguish  them 


WILLOW  grouse;  white  ptarmigan.  171 

from  flakes  of  snow.  In  the  summer  season  they  feed 
chiefly  on  the  berries  of  the  alpine  arbutus  and  other 
shrubs  and  plants,  which  are  laid  bare  by  the  thaw,  and 
which  do  not  disappear  until  they  are  replaced  by  a  new 
crop.  They  incubate  about  the  beginning  of  June,  at 
which  time  the  females  moult.  The  males  assume  their 
red-colored  plumage  as  soon  as  the  rocks  and  eminences 
become  bare,  at  which  time  they  are  in  the  habit  of  stand- 
ing upon  large  stones,  calling  in  a  loud  and  croaking  voice 
to  their  mates,  which,  still  in  their  white  wintry  garb,  are 
hi<lden  in  the  snows  below.  These  birds  are  more  usually 
in  motion  in  the  milder  light  of  night  than  in  the  broad 
glare  of  day. 

Captain  Blakiston  traced  this  Grouse  across  the  interior 
from  Hudson  Bay  to  near  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  ob- 
tained a  single  specimen  near  Fort  Carlton.  It  does  not 
come  down  every  winter,  however,  so  far  south  on  the 
Upper  Saskatchewan.  Near  Lake  Winnipeg,  at  Fort 
Cumberland,  and  to  the  eastward,  they  are  common  every 
winter,  and  numbers  are  obtained  from  the  shores  of  Hud- 
son's Bay.  Mr.  Ross  gives  this  species  as  common  on  the 
Mackenzie.  Mr.  Robert  Mac  Farlane  found  it  ax'ound  Fort 
Anderson,  where,  he  writes,  it  was  always  very  numerous 
in  that  quarter  at  all  seasons,  and  generally  not  difiicult  of 
approach.  During  the  breeding  season  the  males  were  to 
be  found  i:)erched  upon  trees  and  stumps  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  nest,  while  the  female  would  rarely  leave  the  latter 
until  almost  trodden  on.  They  are  also  said,  by  Mr.  Mac 
Farlane,  to  assume  their  summer  plumage  earlier  than  the 
males,  differing  in  this  statement  from  Dr.  Richardson's. 
Their  nest  is  alwaj'S  on  the  ground,  and  consists  only  of  a 
few  decayed  leaves  placed  in  a  depression.  Sometimes 
other  materials,  such  as  hay,  moss,  feathers,  etc.,  are  found. 
While  incubating,  the  female  occasionally  sits  so  close  as 
to  allow  herself  to  be  caught  rather  than  leave  the  nest. 

They  begin  to  nest  early  in  June,  varying  a  little  with 
the  season,  not  commencing  so  soon  where  the  ground  at 
that  period  was  still  covered  with  snow.    Eggs  taken  from 


172   PRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

the  oviduct  were  almost  invariabl}^  pure  white  in  color.  In 
one  instance  an  egg  taken  from  the  oviduct  of  a  female, 
June  5,  that  had  previously  deposited  eight  eggs  the  same 
season,  was  covered  with  coloring  matter  or  marking  so 
soft  as  to  adhere  to  the  fingers  when  touched.  After  the 
female  has  once  begun  to  lay,  Mr.  Mac  Farlane  observed 
that  she  deposits  one  egg  each  day  until  the  whole  num- 
ber has  been  reached.     This  varies  from  eight  to  ten. 

The  males  were  always  observed  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  the  nest,  and  began  to  assume  their  summer 
moult  about  the  6th  of  June,  most  of  their  necks  at  that 
time  being  already  of  a  reddish-brown  color.  The  nests 
were  alwaj'S  on  the  ground,  and  were  mere  depressions 
lined  with  a  few  soft  materials,  generally  leaves,  occasion- 
ally mingled  with  feathers,  hay,  etc.,  the  feathers  often 
being  their  own.  The  same  nest  was  often  made  use  of  in 
successive  seasons.  Eggs  were  found  as  late  as  the  24th 
of  June,  and  the  female  is  supposed  to  sit  about  three 
weeks  before  hatching.  Occasionally  eggs  were  found 
dropped  on  the  bare  ground  without  any  signs  of  a  nest. 
In  one  instance  the  egg  was  pure  white,  like  one  taken 
from  the  oviduct.  It  was  found  lying  on  the  bare  ground, 
without  the  least  apyjearance  of  a  nest  in  the  vicinit3\ 

In  one  instance  where  a  nest  was  met  with,  on  the  banks 
of  Swan  Eiver,  by  Mr.  Mac  Farlane's  party,  en  route,  the 
female  was  almost  trodden  under  loot  before  she  fluttered 
off,  when  she  at  once  turned  about  to  face  her  enemies, 
spreading  her  wings  and  ruflling  her  feathers  as  if  to  at- 
tack or  frighten  them  away.  In  another  case  a  nest  con- 
taining only  one  fresh  egg,  in  which  the  female  had  but 
just  begun  to  deposit,  was  found  as  late  as  June  25th. 
Other  eggs  found  June  27th,  contained  ver}'  large  embrj'os. 
Another  nest,  examined  a  fortnight  later,  (Julj^  10),  had  in 
it  ten  perfectly  fresh  eggs.  Mr.  Mac  Farlane  inferred  that 
this  nest  had  been  robbed  at  an  early  period  of  the  season. 
This  time  she  apparently  made  no  attempt  at  another 
laying.  In  several  instances  where  both  birds  were  ])res- 
ent  near  a  nest  that  was  taken,  the  male  bird  would  make 


WILLOW  grouse;  white  ptarmigan.  173 

his  presence  known  by  giving  utterance  to  ver}*  peculiar 
rough  notes,  indicative  of  alarm  and  distress  at  the  pro- 
ceedinocs.  In  one  instance  a  nest  was  ibund  in  the  midst 
of  a  clump  of  very  small  stunted  willows,  within  thirty 
feet  of  the  spot  where  Mr.  Mac  Farlane's  tent  was  pitched. 
This  was  on  the  21st  of  Judc,  but  the  nest  escaped  notice 
until  the  22d  of  July,  when  the  female  was  almost  trodden 
on  as  she  was  sitting  on  her  eggs,  where  she  had  probably 
had  her  nest  during  their  entire  stay.  The  eggs  were 
warm  when  taken,  and  their  contents  were  slightly  de- 
veloped. During  the  night  the  male  Ptarmigan  disturbed 
the  encampment  by  keeping  up  a  constant  utterance  of 
his  rough  and  rather  unpleasant  notes.  In  another  in- 
stance the  female  fluttered  off,  calling,  and  pretending  to 
be  badly  wounded;  while  the  male  bird,  in  the  vicinity, 
made  his  near  presence  known  by  the  loud  manner  in  which 
he  expressed  his  disapprobation  of  such  proceedings. 

In  one  instance  where  an  Indian  had  found  a  nest  of 
this  Ptarmigan,  which  then  contained  seven  eggs,  the  fe- 
male was  seen,  and  the  notes  of  the  male  bird  were  heard. 
He  placed  a  snare  about  the  eggs,  but  on  returning  to  the 
nest  a  few  hours  afterwards,  he  was  surprised  to  find  that 
six  of  the  eggs  had  disappeared  during  his  brief  absence. 
He  supposed  a  fox  had  taken  them ;  but  as  no  egg-shells 
were  left  behind,  Mr.  Mac  Farlane  has  no  doubt  they  were 
removed  b}^  the  parent  birds. 

When  the  young  are  hatched  they  follow  the  parents. 
both  of  whom  keep  about  them,  and  display  great  courage 
and  devotion  whenever  there  is  any  occasion,  suffering 
themselves  to  be  very  closely  approached,  and  utterly  re- 
gardless of  consequences  in  their  desire  to  save  their 
young.  A  The  latter  are  very  hard  to  recognize,  owing  to 
their  close  resemblance  to  the  grass,  in  which  they  squat, 
and  remain  perfectly  still. 

In  September  and  October  of  each  season  these  Ptarmi- 
gan assemble  in  large  flocks,  but  during  winter  seldom 
more  than  two  or  three  dozen  were  ever  noticed  in  single 
companies.     They  would  often  alight  and  feed  in  the  im- 


174     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

mediate  presence  of  the  men,  and  would  even  permit  a 
very  near  approach.  During  the  winter  they  were  fre- 
quently to  be  met  between  Fort  Anderson  and  Fort  Good 
Hope,  in  especial  abundance  about  the  last-mentioned 
post.  As  the  spring  approached,  they  began  to  migrate 
to  the  north;  so  that  in  the  summer  scarcely  a  Ptarmigan 
was  to  be  seen  south  of  Lockhart  Eiver,  on  their  usual 
line  of  march  to  that  post.  In  February,  1859,  Mr.  Mac 
Farlane  found  them  numerous  to  the  very  borders  of  the 
wooded  country,  along  the  banks  of  the  Lower  Anderson. 

Mr.  Donald  Gunn  states  that  this  Ptarmigan  is  very 
seldom  to  be  seen  south  or  west  of  Lake  Winnipeg,  but  is 
found  in  all  the  country  north  and  east  of  that  lake  during 
the  winter  season.  In  the  summer  they  are  said  to  breed 
around  Hudson's  Bay,  and  during  the  winter  to  be  found 
along  the  whole  extent  of  that  bay,  especially  if  the  winter 
is  mild.  During  severe  winters  they  go  more  inland.  The 
males  of  this  species  are  said  by  Mr.  Gunn  to  crow  morning 
and  evening  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Moor-fowl  in  Scot- 
land, the  tone  and  notes  being  very  similar.  The  female  is 
said  to  lay  from  ten  to  sixteen  eggs,  but  the  largest  number 
taken  by  Mr.  Mac  Farlane  appears  to  have  been  ten. 
These  birds  are  oi'  great  service  to  the  Indians,  serving  as 
food  when  larger  game  fails;  and  their  feathers  are  also  a 
considerable  article  of  trade,  several  hundred  weight  of 
them  being  annually  sent  to  London. 

Mr.  Dall  found  this  Ptarmigan  abundant  in  Alaska,  from 
Fort  Yukon  to  the  sea.  In  winter  they  fe'ed  exclusively 
on  willow  buds,  a  double  handful  having  often  been  found 
in  their  crops.  As  soon  as  the  ground  was  well  covered 
with  snow  they  appeared  on  the  river  in  covies  among  the 
willow  thickets.  They  were  rather  shy,  and  on  aji  alarm 
they  flew  immediately,  but  without  noise.  They  made 
regular  paths  along  the  banks  of  the  river  among  the  wil- 
lows, along  which  they  always  ran.  The  Indians  took  ad- 
vantage of  these  to  snare  them,  and  caught  them  by  hun- 
dreds. The}'  were  abundant  in  the  iall  and  midwinter. 
In  February  they  gathered  in  immense  flocks,  and  disap- 


WILLOW  GROUSE  ;    WHITE  PTARMIGAN.  175 

peared,  no  one  could  tell  where,  returning  about  the  mid- 
dle of  March  as  suddenly  as  they  had  gone  away,  remain- 
ing a  few  weeks,  then  resorting  to  the  mountains  and  open 
country  to  breed.  In  1867  they  disappeared  February 
15  and  returned  April  1,  leaving  for  the  mountains  May  3. 
The  following  year  they  left  February  10,  returning  March 
21,  and  left  for  the  mountains  April  28,  going  and  coming 
in  large  flocks.  They  begin  to  moult  about  the  middle  of 
April,  the  feathers  of  the  head,  edges  of  wings,  and  upper 
tail-coverts,  changing  first.  At  this  time  the  capillaries 
in  the  skin  of  the  abdomen  become  engorged  with  serous 
fluid,  and  give  to  the  bird  a  disgusting  appearance.  Mr. 
Dall  obtained  eggs  in  an  open  tundra  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Yukon  in  the  latter  part  of  June.  The  female  defend- 
ed her  nest  bravelj',  and  rather  than  desert  her  eggs  allow- 
ed herself  to  bo  torn  to  pieces  by  a  dog. 

Mr.  Bannister  was  also  struck  with  the  strong  attach- 
ment shown  to  each  other  by  both  sexes  during  the  breed- 
ing season.  He  has  known  the  male  bird  to  sacrifice  his 
own  life,  rather  than  desert  his  wounded  mate.  He  men- 
tions them  as  common  at  St.  Michael's  and  the  adjoining 
mainland  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  but  espe- 
cially abundant  in  the  spring,  when  they  are  fouud  singly 
or  in  pairs  all  over  the  country.  In  the  fall  and  winter 
they  kept  more  to  the  thicket  of  willows.  The  greater 
part  of  them  were  supposed  to  have  gone  into  the  wooded 
districts  of  the  interior  for  better  shelter  and  more  abun- 
dant food. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  considerably  in  length  and 
breadth,  they  average  about  1.85  inches  in  length  and  1.20 
in  breadth  and  are  oval  in  shape,  one  end  a  little  less  ob- 
tuse than  the  other.  They  are  all  beautifully  variegated 
and  marked  with  bold  confluent  blotches  of  a  dark  claret 
color,  upon  a  ground  of  a  deep  cream  tinged  with  a  red- 
<iish  shading- — Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway. 


176     FRANK  SCIILEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


EOCK  PTAEMIGAN. 

Lagopus  mutus,  Var,  rupestris. — Leach. 

IHABITS. — According  to  Hutchins,  this  Ptarmigan  is 
numerous  at  the  two  extremes  of  Hudson's  Bay,  but 
does  not  appear  at  the  middle  settlements  of  York 
and  Severn  except  in  very  severe  seasons,  when  the 
Willow  Grouse  are  scarce ;  and  Captain  Sabine  informed 
Eichardson  that  they  abounded  on  Melville  Island,  latitude 
75°,  in  the  summer.  They  arrived  there  in  their  snow- 
white  winter  dress  about  the  12th  of  May.  By  the  end  of 
the  month  the  females  had  be<»;un  to  assume  their  colored 
plumage,  which  was  completed  by  the  first  week  in  .Tune, 
when  the  change  in  the  plumage  had  only  just  commenced 
in  the  males.  Some  of  the  latter  were  found  as  late  as  the 
middle  of  June  in  their  unaltered  winter  plumage.  This 
Grouse  was  also  found  on  the  Melville  peninsula  and  the 
Barren  Grounds,  rarely  going  farther  south,  even  in  the 
winter,  than  latitude  53°  in  the  interior,  but,  on  the  coast 
of  Hudson's  Bay,  descending  to  latitude  58°,  and  in  sevei'c 
seasons  still  farther  to  the  southward.  In  its  general  man- 
ners and  mode  of  living  it  is  said  to  resemble  the  albus,  but 
does  not  retire  so  far  into  the  wooded  country  in  the  win- 
ter. At  that  season  it  frequents  the  more  open  woods  on 
the  borders  of  lakes,  especially  in  the  65th  parallel,  but 
the  bulk  of  this  species  remains  on  the  skirts  of  the  Bar- 
ren Grounds.     They  incubate  in  June. 

Mr.  Mac  Farlan'e  found  this  spQeies  breeding  about  Fort 
Anderson,  and  on  the  Barren  Grounds  east  of  the  Horton 
lliver.  They  nest,  in  a  similar  manner  to  A  albus,  on  the 
ground,  placing  the  materials  in  a  depression  on  the 
ground,  and  using  hay,  withered  leaves,  and  a  few  feathers 
and  making   a  rather   loose,   ill-arranged    nest.      This   is 


ROCK  PTARMIGAN.  177 

usually  placed  on  an  open  common,  sometimes  near  the 
banks  of  a  small  stream.  They  were  more  early  in  their 
breeding  than  the  albus^  as  young  Ptarmigans  of  a  goodly 
size  are  mentioned  as  having  been  seen  June  30.  The 
eggs  ranged  from  four  to  eight  in  number. 

The  female  sits  very  close,  and  rather  than  leave  will 
sometimes  suffer  herself  to  be  taken  by  the  hand.  In  one 
instance  when  a  nest  was  approached,  the  female  crouched 
as  much  as  possible,  in  the  hope  that  she  might  not  be  no- 
ticed, which  would  have  happened  had  not  one  of  the 
party  observed  her  eye.  Her  summer  plumage  was  almost 
exactly  of  the  same  color  with  the  soil,  and  hardly  distin- 
guishable from  it.  The  man  was  within  three  feet,  and, 
making  a  swoop,  caught  her  on  the  nest. 

Excepting  in  1862,  Mr.  Mac  Farlane  did  not  meet  with 
any  of  this  species  west  of  the  Swan  River,  on  his  various 
journey's  to  Franklin  Bay.  Every  season,  almost  immedi- 
ately on  leaving  the  woods  fringing  Swan  River,  birds 
began  to  be  seen  as  far  as  and  all  along  the  Arctic  coast. 
Although  constantly  found  feeding  in  large  numbers  on 
the  Barrens,  it  was  always  difficult  to  find  their  nests. 
They  were  most  numerous  between  Ilorton  River  and 
Franklin  Bay,  and  were  frequently  seen  standing  singly,  or 
feeding  on  the  ground,  or  an  occasional  pair  might  be 
seen,  but  it  was  seldom  any  number  were  observed  in 
company. 

Mr.  Dall  states  that  this  species  was  not  uncommon  in 
the  Romanzoff  Mountains,  northwest  of  Fort  Yukon,  but 
did  not  know  of  its  being  found  farther  south  or  west.  It 
was  obtained  by  S.  Weston  at  Fort  Yukon,  and  among  the 
mountains  by  Mr.  McDougal. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  closely  resemble  those  of  L. 
albus,  but  are  somewhat  smaller  in  size.  They  measure 
1.63  inches  in  length  by  1.18  in  breadth,  varying  slighily 
in  size.  Their  ground  is  a  deep  reddish  cream-color,  nearly 
covered  by  large  blotches  of  a  reddish  chestnut,  giving  a 
beautifully  variegated  effect  to  the  whole. — Baird,  Bretver 
and  Ridgway. 
23 


178     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

WHITE^TAILED  PTAEMIGAK 

Lagopus  leucurus. — Swainson  &  Richardson. 

IHABITS. — This  species  was  first  procured  b}^  Mr. 
Drummond,  and  described  by  Swainson  in  the 
"  Fauna  Borealis."  Five  specimens  were  taken  on 
the  Eocky  Mountains  in  the  54th  parallel,  and  ano- 
ther, by  Mr.  Mac  Pherson,  on  the  same  chain,  nine  degrees 
farther  north.  They  were  said  to  have  all  the  habits  of 
the  other  Ptarmigans,  and  to  inhabit  the  snowy  peaks  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  as  well  as  the  lofty  ridges  of 
the  Eocky  Mountains. 

We  have  but  little  reliable  information  in  regard  to  the 
habits  and  distribution  of  this  species.  It  seems  to  be  con- 
fined entirely  to  the  range  of  the  Eocky  Mountains,  and 
to  be  found  only  among  their  highest  points,  occurring  at 
least  as  far  to  the  south  as  Cochetope  Pass,  in  latitude  39°, 
and  extending  north  to  an  undetermined  extent.  Speci- 
mens were  procured  in  1858  by  Captain  E.  B.  Marcy,  on 
his  march  from  Fort  Bridger,  in  Utah,  across  the  Eocky 
Mountains  to  Santa  Fe.  They  were  met  with  near  the 
summit  of  the  mountains  not  far  from  Cochetope  Pass. 

Mr.  Charles  E.  Aiken  writes  me  that  he  has  been  in- 
formed that  this  bird  is  common  on  the  Snowy  Eange,  in 
Colorado  Territory.  He  was  informed  by  an  old  miner, 
who  claimed  to  have  met  with  these  birds  breeding  near 
the  top  of  the  range  in  June,  that  their  nest,  composed  of 
leaved  and  grass,  is  placed  on  the  ground  among  bushes  on 
hill  sides;  that  the  eggs  are  fourteen  in  number,  of  a  light 
bluish-brown,  marked  and  spotted  with  a  darker  shade  of 
bro^n. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  (Am.  Nat.,  June,  1872),  mentions  finding, 
among  the  snow-fields  of  the  higher  parts  of  the  moun- 
tains of  Colorado,  this  Grouse  as  one  of  the  essentially 
Arctic  species  that  were  not  met  with  below  the  region  of 


RUFFED   grouse;    PARTRIDGE;    PHEASANT.  179 

snow.  The  Ptarmigans  were  quite  common,  and  in  the 
winter  descend  into  the  timbered  land,  where  a  great  num- 
ber are  killed  by  the  miners  for  food. 

An  egg  given  to  Mr.  Allen  as  a  genuine  agg  of  this  spe- 
cies, was  taken  on  Mount  Lincoln,  Colorado,  by  Mr.  Arthur 
Meade.  It  is  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  and  itieasures,  as 
well  as  its  imperfect  condition  permitted  its  length  to  be 
estimated,  about  1.80  inches  by  1.20  in  breadth.  Its  ground 
is  a  deep  ochraceous  cream  color,  marked  with  small 
rounded  spots  of  a  deep  chestnut.  These  are  pretty  uni- 
formly sprinkled  over  the  surface.  Except  in  size,  it  bears 
a  close  resemblance  to  the  egg  of  the  European  Tetrao 
urogallus. — Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway. 


RUFFED  GROUSE;  PARTRIDGE;  PHEASANT. 

Bonasa  Umbellus.  Var,  Umbellus. — Stepheks. 

/ft  '^^'  ^^I^^- — "^^^^  widening  to  the  end,  its  feathers 
^Jt,  very  broad,  as  long  as  the  wings;  the  feathers  soft, 
and  eighteen  in  number.  Tarsi  naked  in  the  lower 
half;  covered  with  two  rows  of  hexagonal  scales 
anteriorly,  as  in  the  (  Ortygince,)  Sides  of  toes  strongly  pec- 
tinated. Naked  space  on  the  side  of  throat  covered  by  a 
tuft  of  broad  soft  feathers.  Portion  of  culman  between 
the  nasal  fossse  about  one-third  the  total  length.  Top  of 
head  with  a  soft  crest. 

"  This  genus,  in  its  partly  naked  tarsi,  with  two  rows  of 
scutella^  anteriorly,  indicates  a  close  approach  to  the  Amer- 
ican Partridges,  or  Quails.  It  has  a  single  European  rep- 
resentative, the  B.  sylvestrisy — Steph, 

B.  Umbellus. — Rump  with  cordate  light  spots;  sides  with 
transverse  dark  spots.  Tail  with  two  gray  bands  (one 
terminal),  with  a  broad  blackish  zone  between  them.  Cer- 
vical tufts  glossy  black  or  dark  brown,  with  a  semi-metal- 
lic steel-blue  or  green  border.  Prevailing  color  bright 
ochraceous-rufous  ;  tail  always  rufous  in  the  Middle  and 


180   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

Southern  States,  occasionally  gray  on  the  Allegany  Moun- 
tains, and  in  IN'ew  England  States;  usually  gray  in  Eastern 
British  America. 

Hab. — Eastern  Province  of  Xorth  America.  Yar,  nm- 
hellus. — Bajrd,  Breiver  and  Ridgivay,  Vol.  TIL,  page  440, 
447. 

Description. — The  Pheasant,  from  the  tip  of  the  bill  to 
the  end  of  the  tail  feathers,  sixteen  to  nineteen  inches  long. 
From  tij)  to  tip  of  the  outstretched  wings,  twenty-four 
inches.  Length  of  wing,  seven  inches.  Bill  of  a  brownish 
color,  eyes  hazel,  crested  head.  Neck  variegated  with 
white,  3^ellow,  black  and  brown.  A  tuft  of  twenty  to  thirty 
broad,  soft,  black,  glossy  feathers  covers  a  small  impennous, 
and  otherwise  naked  space  on  each  side  of  the  neck.  Upper 
parts  of  the  body,  rust  color,  marked  with  spots  of  light 
yellowish  gray.  Lower  parts  of  the  body  white,  with 
splotches  of  brown.  The  tail  generally  seven  inches  in 
length,  usually  of  eighteen  feathers,  rounding  and  of  a  ru- 
fous brown  color,  marked  with  a  broad,  blackish  zone  be- 
tween two  narrow  bands  of  light  gray,  one  of  which  ter- 
minates the  tail.  Tarsi  naked  in  the  lower  half,  covered 
with  scales.  Feet  grayish,  sides  of  the  toes  pectinated, 
two  exterior  ones  joined  at  the  base,  and  to  the  first  joint 
with  a  strong  membrane.  Weight  1  lb.  6  to  13  oz.  Flesh 
white.  The  plumage  of  the  female  is  similar  to  the  male, 
but  of  a  lighter  shade.  The  neck  tufts  of  the  female  are 
of  a  brownish  color.  The  zone  on  the  tail  is  not  as  dark 
as  that  of  the  male.  The  above  description  was  accurately 
taken,  from  birds  fresh  killed  by  myself,  in  the  Hills  and 
Mountains,  of  Frederick  county,  Maryland. 

[SEE  ENGKAYING.] 

Habits. — This  beautiful  game  bird  is  known  in  Xcw 
England  as  the  Partridge,  in  the  Southern  and  Middle 
States  as  the  Pheasant.  Neither  of  these  names  is  its 
])roper  one,  for  this  bird  belongs  to  neither  the  Partridge 
nor  the  Pheasant  families.     The  true  name  of  this  bird  is 


1 


■^w/0i«^rm} 


m-:m^ 


-^  .sA 


mwM 


AMERICAN   RUFFED   GROFSl. 


RUFFED    grouse;    PARTRIDGE;    PHEASANT.  181 

the  American  Buffed  Grouse.  It  derives  its  name  from  a 
peculiar  tuft  of  numerous  (twenty  to  thirty)  broad,  soft, 
flossy,  black  feathers,  on  the  sides  of  the  neck,  which  it 
sometimes  i*aises  as  a  ruff.  As  this  bird  is  known  so  gen- 
erally in  Maryland  as  the  Pheasant,  and  by  no  other  name, 
I  will  call  it  the  Pheasant,  because  many  of  our  sportsmen 
would  not  know  the  bird  by  its  true  name  Grouse.  The 
Pheasant  is  found  wherever  wooded  country  is  met  with, 
throughout  the  Eastern  portion  of  North  America,  from 
the  Atlantic  Coast  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from 
Georgia  to  Nova  Scotia.  They  also  often  occur  in  consid- 
erable numbers  in  the  low  lands,  and  were  discovered  by 
by  Mr.  Audubon,  breeding  in  the  thickest  canebrakes  of 
Indiana  and  Kentucky.  They  are  found  in  nearly  all  the 
Southern  States,  being  abundant  in  Virginia,  the  Caro- 
linas,  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  and  it  is  said  as  far  to  the 
Southwest  as  Natchez,  Mississippi.  Dr.  New^berry,  as  has 
been  stated,  did  not  encounter  this  bird  within  the  limits 
of  California,  but  found  them  very  abundant  in  the  wooded 
portion  of  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and  in  the  Willamette 
Valley.  The  Oregon  species  were  generally  darker  than 
the  Eastern  varieties,  but  the  habits  were  apparently  ever^^- 
whcre  the  same.  The  Pheasant  is  generally  found  in  small 
flocks,  except  where  they  have  been  much  hunted.  When 
this  is  the  case,  they  are  more  frequently  found  singl}^,  or 
I'arel}^  more  than  tw^o  to  five  together.  These  game  birds 
have  their  homes  in  the  woods,  mountains,  and  hills  of  our 
country.  They  delight  in  the  rockj^  sides  of  mountains 
and  hills  where  springs  and  small  running  streams  abound. 
They  are  particularly  fond  of  high,  sloping,  rocky,  wooded 
hill-sides,  which  border  on  such  streams,  especially  those 
which  are  sheltered  by  the  pine,  hemlock,  laurel,  and  other 
evergreens.  They  always  prefer  the  densest  woods  and 
thickets,  and  are  but  seldom  found  in  open  plains.  Thej- 
love  to  frequent  ravines  and  thickets,  especially  those  which 
extend  out  fi-om  the  mountains  and  hills.  These  places 
are  their  favorite  feeding  grounds.  The  Pheasant  is  more 
or  less   polygamous.     Their   love   season   commences   in 


182   FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 

March.  The  male  only  remains  with  the  female  until  the 
latter  commences  setting.  They  then  keep  by  themselves 
unless  recalled  by  the  female,  when  its  eggs  have  been  de- 
stroyed. Pheasants  have  been  taken  young  and  tamed, 
and  their  eggs  have  been  hatched  under  the  Domestic  Hen, 
but  they  seldom  live  until  full  grown.  The  nest  is  very 
rudely  constructed,  consisting  of  only  a  few  leaves  laid  in 
a  depression.  The  female  places  her  nest  on  the  ground  in 
some  retired  spot,  frequently  at  the  foot  of  a  stump,  bush, 
tree,  or  log.  The  hen  generally  lays  from  six  to  twelve 
eggs,  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  of  an  elongated  oval,  pointed 
at  one  end.  The  young  brood,  as  soon  as  they  are  free 
from  the  shell,  follow  their  mother  in  search  of  food.  She 
calls  to  them  with  a  chuckling  note,  and  when  come  upon 
by  a  sportsman  the  young  birds  hide,  and  the  hen  resorts 
to  the  same  artifice  as  the  Partridge  (Ortyx)  does  to  allure 
the  sportsman  away  from  her  young.  In  a  short  tmie  the 
young  birds  become  strong  enough  to  fly  a  short  distance. 
The  cocks  do  not  assist  the  hen  in  taking  care  of  the  young 
brood — they  scatter  around  singly,  and  frequently  get  to- 
gether in  small  bands  until  Fall,  when  they  all  again  asso- 
ciate indiscriminately  together  in  search  of  food,  both 
young  and  old.  If  the  Spring  is  early,  warm,  and  dry,  the 
young  birds  will  be  large  enough  to  shoot  by  the  15th  of 
August,  but  if  the  Spring  is  late,  and  cold,  and  wet,  the 
brood  will  be  small  both  in  number  and  size  of  the  birds. 
I  have  shot  birds  of  the  young  broods  in  Marj'land  and 
Yirginia,  on  the  first  day  of  August,  that  were  apparently 
as  large  as  the  old  birds;  and  then  again  the  next  3'car,  on 
the  first  of  the  same  month,  I  have  sprung  them  when  they 
were  not  much  larger  than  a  Partridge,  which  was  owing 
altogether  to  a  difference  in  the  season.  Take  the  seasons 
on  an  average,  the  first  of  September  is  tlie  proper  time 
to  commence  shooting  the  young  broods.  About  the  first 
of  September,  as  a  general  thing,  the  young  birds  are 
equal  in  size,  but  not  in  weight,  to  the  old  ones  ;  and  though 
they  have  not  the  power  and  rapidity  of  flight  of  the  old 
birds,  I  have  always  found  that  by  the  first  of  September 


RUFFED    grouse;    PARTRIDGE;    PHEASANT.  183 

the  young  birds  could  fly  plenty  fast  enough  to  elude  any 
but  well-practiced  sportsmen.  As  the  trees  and  bushes 
are  full  of  leaves  in  places  where  they  are  found,  and  they 
get  under  way  and  out  of  sight  in  a  wonderful  short  space 
of  time,  unless  the  gun  is  handled  and  leveled  quickly,  and 
the  sight  is  taken  true  by  a  good  shooter,  the}^  will  not  be 
stopped.  No.  6  St.  Louis  shot  is  the  size  to  bring  them 
down:  With  any  smaller  size  of  shot  you  will  often  be 
disappointed  in  bagging  them  if  you  fire  at  any  distance 
over  thirty-five  yards,  even  though  your  aim  is  true. 


18-1     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTINO. 


BEATIISTG  OE  DEUMMTNG  OF  THE  PHEASAJSTT. 

"Hearest  thou  that  bird? 

I  list'ned,  and  from  'midst  the  depths  of  woods 
Heard  the  signal  of  the  Grouse, 
A  sound  like  distant  thunder; 
Slow  the  strokes  at  first,  then  faster  and  faster, 
'Till  at  length  they  passed  into  a  murmur  and  were  still/' 

Beyant. 

gBN"  some  of  our  districts,  the  woods,  mountains,  and 
SK  bills  of  our  country  resound  far  and  wide  with  the 
^^  sound  of  the  beating  or  drumming  of  the  Pheasant. 
W^  This  sound  is  a  very  singular  noise.  It  is  a  kind  of 
rumbling  sound,  or  a  tremor  in  the  air,  very  much  like  the 
rumbling  of  distant  thunder.  When  this  sound  vibrates 
from  hill  to  hill,  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  Icxu^te  the  exact 
spot  from  whence  it  comes.  This  rumbling  sound  is  called 
beating  or  drumming  of  the  Pheasant,  and  on  a  clear,  still 
day,  may  b^  heard  a  long  distance  off.  This  peculiar 
sound  is  made  by  the  beating  or  drumming  of  the  Cock 
Pheasant,  as  has  been  described  by  Mr.  Audubon,  in  this 
way. 

"The  male  bird,  standing  erect  on  a  prostrate  decayed 
trunk,  raises  the  feathers  of  its  body  in  the  manner  of  the 
Turkey  Cock,  draws  its  head  towards  its  tail,  erecting  the 
feathei*s  of  the  latter  at  the  same  time,  and  raising  its  ruff 
around  the  neck,  suffers  its  wings  to  drop,  and  struts  about 
on  the  log,  a  few  moments  elapse  when  the  bird  draws  the 
whole  of  its  feathers  close  to  its  body,  and  stretching  itself 
out,  beats  its  sides  with  its  wings  in  the  manner  of  the- 
Domestic  Cock,  but  more  loudly,  and  with  such  rapidity 
of  motion,  after  a  few  of  the  first  strokes,  as  to  cause  a 
tremor  in  the  air  not  unlike  the  rumbling  of  distant 
thunder." 


BEATING  OR  DRUMMING  OF  THE  PHEASANT.  185 

I  have  many  times  detected  this  bird  by  this  peculiar 
sound,  and  shot  him,  but  it  alwaj^s  required  my  greatest 
skill  of  observance  to  distinguish  his  exact  location,  as  this 
rumbling  sound  in  the  woods  and  hills  is  very  deceiving. 
Toiling,  1  have  often  climbed  to  the  top  of  a  rugged  moun- 
tain, under  the  impression  the  sound  came  from  that  direc- 
tion, all  the  while  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  in  the  advance, 
and  proceeding  cautiously  with  my  finger  upon  the  trig- 
ger of  my  gun,  for,  b^'  the  repeated  thumping,  I  would 
think  I  was  close  on  the  bird,  but  I  have  been  too  often 
mistaken.  After  all  my  trouble,  it  would  frequently  turn 
out,  when  I  had  thought  I  was  right,  that  the  rumbling 
sound  proceeded  from  the  hill  opposite  the  one  I  was  on, 
or  some  other  neighboring  locality.  This  beating  or  drum- 
ming of  the  Cock  Pheasant  is  a  very  singular  manoeuvre, 
and  why  this  bird  resorts  to  this  peculiar  performance,  and 
makes  this  sound,  is  left  only  for  us  to  conjecture.  Some 
suppose  that  the  male  bird  resorts  to  this  means  to  draw 
the  hen  to  his  presence;  others  suppose  that  this  peculiar 
noise  is  the  male  birds  only  plan  of  drawing  the  hen  from 
her  hiding  place  during  the  period  of  incubation;  others 
suppose  that  this  sound  is  produced  by  the  bird  when  he 
is  in  search  of  worms  in  a  log.  From  my  observation  of 
the  beating  or  drumming  of  the  Pheasant,  I  am  compelled 
to  reject  the  reasons  which  have  been  assigned  for  it.  I 
am  unable  to  attribute  it  to  any  special  cause,  and  I  have 
concluded  that  it  is  altogether  a  natural  habit  for  the  bird 
to  perform  this  singular  manoeuvre.  I  have  shot  Pheas- 
ants, when  they  were  beating  or  drumming,  in  all  the 
months  of  Autumn ;  and  I  have  heard  them  drum  in  the 
night,  and  in  all  the  months  of  the  year,  except  when  the 
weather  was  cold,  or  when  the  ground  was  covered  with 
snow.  The  drumming  by  the  male  is  frequently  made  on 
a  rock,  stump,  or  stone,  as  well  as  on  a  log.  The  drum- 
ming place  of  the  male:  This  spot  is  situated  in  their 
haunts — in  places  where  they  live.  Around  in  the  locali- 
ties of  these  points,  they  may  be  found  in  all  seasons  of 
the  year. 

24 


186     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  PHEASANT. 

§HE  Pheasant  is  a  strong  and  powerful  bird  on  the 
wing — there  are  few  birds  that  can  equal  them  in 
gg^  rapidity  of  flight.  On  being  disturbed  the  Pheasant 
^  rises  from  the  ground  with  strong  wing,  and  tremen- 
dous whirring  noise,  and  flies  off  with  the  greatest  ease, 
and  with  wonderful  rapidity,  through  the  thickest  woods. 
There  is  much  variation  in  the  flight  of  Pheasants — some- 
times they  will  mount  almost  perpendicularly  into  the  air 
before  flying  off^;  at  others  they  will  rise  and  fly  ofl"  just 
above  the  laurels  or  along  within  four  or  five  feet  of  the 
ground ;  at  others  they  will  rise  and  fly,  skimming  along 
close  to  the  ground,  then  slyly  disappearing  from  view. 
Pheasants  generally  fly  straight  oif  in  a  bee-line,  but  before 
settling  they  usually  take  a  turn  to  the  right  or  left,  sweep 
around  and  alight.  The  flight  of  Pheasants  varies  greatly 
in  regard  to  distance.  During  the  first  of  the  shooting- 
season,  when  the  birds  are  young  and  tame,  and  the  trees 
and  bushes  are  full  of  leaves,  the  flight  of  Pheasants  is 
about  equal  in  distance  to  that  of  the  Partridge  {Ortyx); 
but  as  the  season  advances  and  the  trees  become  leafless, 
their  flight  is  much  longer,  particularly  if  they  have  been 
much  disturbed ;  should  this  be  the  case,  they  spring  in 
greater  terror,  and  usually  fly  out  of  sight  before  they 
alight.  Pheasants  generally  fly  with  the  wind,  and  when 
the  wind  is  blowing  a  gale,  they  fly  like  a  streak  of  light- 
ning, especially  the  old  ones,  and  in  order  to  bring  them 
down,  the  shooter  must  be  alert  and  quick  in  handling  the 
gnn,  or  they  will  not  be  stopped — they  will  soon  get  out 
of  sight,  or  killing  range  of  the  shot.  Their  movements 
are  very  quick  when  they  spring,  and  in  a  gale,  unless  the 
shooter  has  a  keen,  quick  eye,  they  will  ^y  twenty  feet  be- 


FLIGHT  OF  THE  PHEASANT.  187 

fore  he  gets  a  glimpse  of  them.     The  startling  noise  and 
flutter  that  a  Pheasant  makes,  when  springing  from  the 
ground,  is  very  apt  to  shake  the  shooter's  nerves,  or  throw 
him  off  his  guard,  and  by  this  means,  as  much  as  any  other, 
the  bird  escapes  being  bagged.     I  have  seen  Pheasants 
spring  at  the  feet  of  sportsmen  and  fly  off"  and  escape 
without  being  fired  at,  "  offering  a  beautiful  mark,  too." 
The  sudden  spring,  accompanied  by  the  startling  whirr 
and  flutter,  would  throw  the  shooter  off  his  guard,  and  the 
bird  would  fly  away  and  escape  with  impunity,  while  the 
shooter  would  stand  and  gaze  with  astonishment  at  the 
unexpected  and  lightning  flight  of  the  bird.     A  full-grown 
Pheasant,  late  in  the  season,  flies  at  the  rate  of  ninety  miles 
an  hour,  at  least — that  is,  twenty-six  hundred  and  forty 
yards  a  minute,  or  forty -four  yards  in  a  second,  and  in  a 
breeze  the  bird  will  fly  one-third  swifter.     If,  therefore,  a 
Pheasant  springs  at  your  feet  at  this  velocity,  and  you  re- 
quire one  second  to  bring  the  sight  to  bear  upon  him,  he 
will  be  out  of  ordinary  range,  and  the  chances  are  three 
out  of  four  against  the  bird  being  stopped.     If  it  is  flying 
across,  and  you  dwell  one  second  on  the  aim,  the  chances 
are  three  out  of  four  you  will  miss  him.     If  it  springs  at 
your  feet  and  flies  off  in  your  rear,  and  you  lose  one  sec- 
ond in  turning  and  getting  aim,  there  are  three  chances 
out  of  four  the  bird  will  not  be  bagged.     If  it  springs  ten 
yards  in  advance,  and  flies  straight  off,  and  you  require 
three-fourths  of  a  second  to  pitch  the  gun  to  the  shoulder, 
and  draw  a  bead  on  him,  the  chances  are  three  out  of  four 
the  bird  will  go  freely  on  and  escape  unharmed.    If  it  darts 
down  the  moment  after  being  fired  at,  and  flies  and  skims 
along  close  to  the  ground,  and  your  dog  pursues  it  close 
and  hotly,  there  are  three  chances  out  of  four  it  will  mount 
and  light  upon  a  tree,  and  unless  you  are  very  careful,  un- 
derstand your  business,  and  have  a  sharp  eye,  there  are 
fifty  chances  to  one  he  will  escape  your  notice  and  evade 
being  bagged.     When  brought  down  among  thick  laurel 
gi'owth  only  wing  tipped,  unless  you  have  a  smart,  swift 
dog  to  give  chase,  or  fire  upon  him  with  the  second  barrel 


188     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

and  stop  him,  there  are  a  hundred  chances  to  one  he  will 
outrun  you  and  escape.  It  frequently  occurs  that  when 
you  come  upon  them  suddenly,  that  they  will  squat  and 
lie  close,  until  you  stop  or  have  passed  by,  when  they  will 
whirr  up,  and  fly  oif  like  lightning  to  the  densest  part  of 
the  cover.  When  the  snow  is  soft,  deep,  and  drifted.  Pheas- 
ants, when  they  ai^e  hard  pursued,  will  occasionally  fly 
right  into  it,  and  get  covered  up,  or  pitch  into  it  and  come 
out  again,  a  short  distance  in  advance,  and  in  this  way  fre- 
quently escape  pursuit.  When  a  brood  of  Pheasants  are 
dispersed  they  have  no  call  to  reassemble  them  together 
again — ^they  wait  until  chance  brings  them  together,  which 
it  generally  does,  at  their  haunts,  or  feeding  grounds,  or 
places  where  they  go  to  scratch  or  drink. 


MIGRATION. 

[HE  AS  ANTS  do  not  migrate,  but  like  the  Partridge, 
(Ortyx),  shift  their  ^uartei-s  on  the  approach  of 
Winter  to  thicker  cover.  The  distance  is  not  ex- 
tensive nor  general.  Pheasants  will  stray  some 
distance  from  the  woods,  let  the  cover  and  food  be  ever  so 
good.  Earely  I  have  found  them  two  or  three  miles  from 
the  woods  in  open  fields,  and  shot  them.  Then  again  I 
have  come  across  single  Pheasants  in  the  open  fields,  among 
covies  of  Partridges,  at  least  four  miles  distant  from  any 
woods  or  thickets.  I  recollect  once,  while  Partridge  shoot- 
ing in  company  with  Thomas  W.  Morgan  and  Major  B.  H. 
Schley,  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  of  coming  across  a 
single  Pheasant  among  a  covey  of  Partridges  in  the  open 
field,  some  three  miles  distant,  apparently,  from  any  woods 
or  thickets,  and  we  drove  the  bird  at  least  two  m  iles 
through  the  open  country,  before  we  brought  it  to  bag.    It 


FOES   OP   THE   PHEASANT.  189 

would  always  rise  and  fly  before  we  got  in  killing  range  of 
it.  Then  again,  I  recollect  once,  while  Partridge  shooting, 
of  springing  a  single  Pheasant  out  in  the  open  field  near 
the  Monocacy  Eiver.  The  nearest  wood  to  this  point  was 
on  the  Linganqre  Hills,  about  two  miles  distant.  The  bird 
escaped  from  me  by  flying  across  the  river.  One  month 
afterward  I  traoed  this  same  bird,  by  sportsmen  springing 
it  from  place  to  place,  and  from  time  to  time,  through  Fred- 
erick Yalley,  until  the  bird  was  driven  to  the  Catoctin 
Mountains,  about  six  miles  distant.  These  birds  had  stray- 
ed from  the  woods  and  lost  their  way  and  did  not  know 
which  course  to  pursue  in  order  to  return, 


FOES  OF  THE  PHEASANT. 

ITTE  Pheasant  has  many  foes  to  contend  with,  inde- 
ptMident  of  man,  that  continually  haunt  and  lurk  in 
their  wake:  The  red  and  gray  Fox;  the  roving, 
rambling  Mink,  travelling  its  rounds  in  the  darkness 
of  night;  the  industrious,  enterprising  little  Weasel,  search- 
ing every  nook,  hole  and  corner  for  its  prey ;  the  fidgity 
Eaccoon,  with  his  acute  sense  of  smell;  the  quiet,  sneak- 
ing Polecat;  these  animals  all  prey  upon  the  Pheasant 
whenever  an  opportunity  ofi'ers,  and  they  destroy  a  large 
number  of  these  birds,  both  young  and  old.  There  are 
several  species  of  birds  which  also  prey  upon  the  Pheasant, 
and  attack  them  whenever  a  favorable  chance  is  presented. 
The  large  Chicken  Hawk  carries  off  the  strongest  and  old- 
est birds.  The  Pigeon  Hawk,  (Falco  columbarius),  this 
quick-flighted,  daring  guerilla  preys  upon  the  Pheasant, 
and  there  is  no  animal  or  bird  whose  attack  is  more  fatal, 
than  that  of  this  quick-flighted  assassin.  The  American 
Crow  is  a  great  foe  of  the  Pheasant.     This  nest  robber  de- 


190     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

stroys  a  large  number  of  birds  when  they  are  quite  young 
or  on  first  being  hatched,  and  it  takes  every  opportunity 
to  pilfer  the  eggs  from  the  nest  of  the  laying  and  setting 
hen. 


FOOD  OF  THE  PHEASANT.  191 


FOOD  OF  THE  PHEASANT. 

HEIR  food  consists  of  berries,  seeds,  grain,  and  in- 
sects. In  Summer  their  principal  food  is  grosshop- 
'^^^^  pers,  ants,  ant-eggs,  wild  strawberries,  dewberries, 
blackberries,  raspberries,  and  whortleberries;  later 
in  the  season  and  in  the  Fall,  dogwoodberries,  sassafras- 
berries,  gumberries,  the  different  species  of  wild  grapes ; 
later  in  the  Fall,  and  in  the  Winter,  their  principal  food  is 
chicken  grapes,  blackhaws,  persimmons,  greenbriarberries, 
Humacberries,  and  different  kinds  of  seed ;  also,  nuts,  acorns, 
and  beach  nuts,  wheat,  corn,  apple  seeds,  &c. 

In  extreme  Winter,  towards  Spring,  when  the  ground  is 
covered  by  a  deep  snow,  and  they  can  find  no  more  food 
hanging  upon  the  vines  and  branches  to  subsist  upon,  when 
the}^  are  forced  by  hunger  and  starvation,  they  feed  upon 
the  buds  and  leaves  of  the  mountain  laurel,  {Kalmia  Lati- 
folia),  which  is  said  to  impart  a  poisonous  character  to  the 
flesh.  Instances  of  poisoning  have  been  known  to  occur 
from  eating  Pheasants,  when  laurel  leaves  have  been  found 
in  their  crops.  As  for  myself,  I  have  never  experienced 
any  inconvenience  after  having  partaken  of  the  flesh,  but 
there  is  good  authority  for  these  charges,  some  of  which  I 
will  quote: 

"This  well  known  evergreen  inhabits  all  sections  of  the 
United  States,  being  especially  abundant  on  the  sides  of 
hills  and  mountains.  It  is  from  three  to  ten  feet  in  height. 
The  leaves  are  possessed  of  poisonous  narcotic  properties. 
They  have  been  analysed  by  Mr.  Charles  Bullock,  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  found  to  contain  gum,  tannic  acid,  resin,  chlor- 
ophyll, fatty  matter,  a  substance  resembling  mannite,  an 
acrid  principle,  wax,  extractive  albumen,  yellow  coloring 
matter,  lignin,  and  salts  of  potassa,  lime,  and  iron." — 
American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  XX.,  264. 


192     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

"Dr.  N.  Shoemaker  published,  in  the  North  American 
Medical  and  Surgical  Journal^  two  cases  of  poisoning  which 
resulted  from  eating  a  Pheasant,  in  the  craw  of  which  lau- 
rel leaves  were  found.  The  symptoms  were  nausea,  tem- 
porary blindness,  pain  in  the  head,  dyspnoea,  pallid  counte- 
nance, cold  extremities,  and  a  very  feeble  pulse.  In  both 
cases  relief  was  afforded  by  vomiting,  produced  by  a  table- 
spoonful  of  flour  of  mustard  mixed  with  warm  water. 

A  case  of  similar  poisoning  is  related  in  the  Edinburgh 
Medical  Journal,  {^(^y^  1856,  page  1014),  Wood  &  Bache, 
U.  S.  JD. 

Pheasants  feed  by  moonlight  as  well  as  by  day.  They 
roost  on  the  ground.  They  can  see  in  the  night  and  can 
fly  then,  as  well  as  by  day.  They  roost  just  where  sleep 
overtakes  them. 

I  have  frightened  them  up  at  all  hours  of  the  night.  On 
approaching  them  they  would  become  alarmed  and  fly  as 
readily  as  they  would  in  the  day.  I  have  frequently  seen 
it  stated  that  when  a  number  of  Pheasants  are  in  the  same 
tree  feeding,  several  may  be  killed  if  you  are  careful  to 
shoot  the  lowest  one  each  time.  I  have  never  found  this 
to  be  the  case.  In  their  native  haunts,  where  I  have  pur- 
sued them,  I  have  frequently  found  Pheasants,  in  dogwood 
trees,  feeding  on  the  berries.  I  have  found  them  in  gum, 
and  haw  trees,  and  also  in  grape  vines,  and  when  I  had  the 
luck  to  find  more  than  one  in  a  tree,  I  was  always  careful 
enough  to  kill  the  lowest  one  first,  but  not  in  one  instance 
did  I  ever  succeed  in  getting  more  than  one  shot  at  them 
in  the  same  tree;  at  the  report  of  the  gun  the  upper  ones 
would  spread  their  wings  and  speed  away  swift  as  bullets. 


AUTUMN   PHEASANT   SHOOTING.  193 


AUTUMN  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

"It  is  brilliant  Autumn  time,  the  most  brilliant  time  of  all, 
When  the  gorgeous  woods  are  gleaming  ere  the  leaves  begin  to  fall ; 
When  the  maple  boughs  are  crimson,  and  the  hickory  shines  like  gold, 
When  the  noons  are  sultry  hot,  and  the  nights  are  frosty  cold ; 

When  the  country  has  no  green  but  the  sword-grass  by  the  rill,  * 
And  the  willows  in  the  valley,  and  the  pine  upon  the  hill ; 
When  the  pippin  leaves  the  bough,  and  the  sumach's  fruit  is  red, 
And  the  Quail  is  piping  loud  from  the  buckwheat  where  he  fed  ; 

When  the  sky  is  blue  as  steel,  and  the  river  clear  as  glass, 
When  the  mist  is  on  the  mountain,  and  the  network  on  the  grass ; 
When  the  harvests  all  are  housed  and  the  farmer's  work  is  done. 
And  the  woodland  is  resounding  with  the  spaniels  and  the  gun." 

Anon. 


S^F  all  the  sports  with  dog  and  gun  there  are  but  few 
SB  "^  which  nature  presents  such  charms,  beauty  and 
scenery,  to  an  observant  sportsman,  as  the  sport  of 
Pheasant  shooting  in  Autumn,  in  America.  Among 
mountains,  hills,  ravines,  rocky  rifts,  and  secluded  wood- 
land dells,  amidst  moss-covered  rocky  hillsides,  where 
mountain  springs,  and  small  running  streams  abound,  shel- 
tered by  the  boughs  of  pine,  hemlock,  laurel,  and  other  ever- 
greens, amidst  woodland  foliage,  rich  and  ripe,  with  every 
tint  of  Autumn  shade  and  color,  among  mountain  rills, 
streams,  and  brooks,  and  waterfalls  clear  as  crystal,  among 
these  native  haunts  of  the  Pheasant,  nature  reveals  her 
sweetest  charms,  and  most  beautiful  scenery.  Here  in 
Autumn  she  revels  in  her  most  luxurious  garb,  and  mocks 
the  feeble  efforts  of  the  Poet's  pen,  the  Painter's  eye,  and 
Artist's  pencil  to  portray  her  inimitable  splendor.  Among 
such  landscapes  the  true  sportsman  will  conduct  you  with 
dog  and  gun,  without  a  thought,  for  this  is  the  place,  as  a 
25 


194     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

rule,  where  the  home,  haunts  and  habits  of  these  wild, 
watchful,  secluded,  mountain  birds  are  found.  These  game 
birds  are  brought  to  bag  in  various  ways — they  are  taken 
in  traps,  in  nooses  and  snares,  and,  when  on  the  wing,  with 
dog  and  gun. 

To  be  successful  in  shooting  Pheasants  on  the  wing,  it 
requires  great  skill  and  excellence  in  handling  the  gun;  at 
the  same  time  there  is  no  sport  that  so  much  depends  on 
the  perfect  coolness,  and  quick  action  of  the  sportsman,  as 
Pheasant  shooting,  and  I  am  not  aware  of  any  other  sport 
in  which  the  nerves  of  the  sportsman  are  more  fully  tested, 
than  in  this  delightful  recreation.  Pheasants  require  careful 
watching  to  mark  them  down.  You  must  eye  them  very 
closely  in  their  line  of  flight,  and  when  you  lose  sight  of 
them  through  the  cover,  or  in  the  distance,  keep  your  eye 
on  their  line  of  flight,  and  far  in  advance;  they  very  often 
show  themselves  when  coming  down,  by  a  motion  of  their 
wings,  or  in  some  other  way,  long  after  you  have  lost  sight 
of  them.  Our  Pheasants  are  found  usually  in  the  most 
dense  covers,  and  the  dog  that  is  best  adapted  to  their  pur- 
suit is  a  well-broken,  easily  controlled,  diligent  and  stead}^ 
Pointer  or  Setter.  I  have  no  preference  for  the  Pointer 
over  the  Setter  for  this  sport,  when  either  possesses  the 
following  qualities.  He  should  have  a  good  nose,  and  should 
stand  firm,  and  should  carry  his  head  well  up,  and  when 
the  weather  is  calm,  or  going  either  with  or  against  the 
wind,  he  should  scent  his  game  from  twenty  to  forty  yards 
distance,  and  draw  upon  the  scent  slowly  with  cat-like 
caution,  and  have  judgment  enough  to  be  content  to  stand 
before  flushing  up  his  game,  fast  and  firm  upon  the  scent, 
with  head  high,  and  tail  stiff,  from  ten  tc  twenty  yards 
from  his  game,  as  these  wild-  birds  will  not  always  lie  to 
allow  a  much  closer  point.  With  a  Pointer  or  Setter  with 
these  qualities,  and  these  alone,  will  Pheasants,  over  dogs, 
be  successfully  shot.  The  Pheasant,  when  frightened  from 
the  ground,  ofl'crs  the  best  and  fairest  mark  to  be  killed, 
when  they  mount  up  into  the  air  before  getting  headway 
on  the  wing.     Thing  around  or  across  they  offer  a  fair 


AUTUMN    PHEASANT    SHOOTING.  195 

chance  to  be  killed,  as  the  shot  hits  with  full  force,  and  one 
or  two  pellets  will  stop  them.  Flying  straight  forward 
they  offer  a  bad  chance  to  be  killed,  and  you  must  draw 
upon  them  very  quick,  or  they  will  be  out  of  range,  and 
they  must  be  hit  hard  to  be  brought  down.  With  a  dog 
that  you  can  depend  upon,  and  it  is  best  to  have  with  you 
a  companion,  go  into  the  woods  where  you  know  Pheas- 
ants abound,  hunt  out  the  ravines  and  gullies,  and  the 
thickets  which  extend  out  from,  and  along  the  edges  of 
the  woods,  hunt  regularly  the  sides  of  the  hills,  especially 
if  they  are  rocky  and  grown  up  with  bushes  and  laurel, 
look  well  to  the  ground  where  grapevines  abound,  especi- 
ally if  there  are  grapes  hanging  on  the  vines.  If  possible, 
hunt  the  dog  so  he  will  have  the  benefit  of  the  wind  in  his 
favor,  as  he  will  scent  his  game  much  farther  when  the 
wind  is  in  his  favor,  than  he  would  otherwise.  When  your 
dog  trails  or  scents  a  Pheasant  and  comes  to  a  stand,  and 
you  can  depend  upon  him  standing  to  his  point,  make  no 
noise,  speak  not  a  word,  and  if  the  ground  will  admit  of  it, 
make  a  circuit  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  dog,  slowly  and 
cautiously  upon  the  bird,  so  you  will  encircle  him  between 
your  friend,  dog,  and  yourself  Whe;i  come  upon  in  this 
way  and  flushed,  he  will  mount  up  into  the  air  and  fly  off, 
and  will  offer  a  beautiful  mark.  Now,  if  you  are  a  good 
shot,  and  you  are  quick  in  handling  your  gun,  and  are  care- 
ful not  to  let  your  nerves  get  in  a  flutter,  but  take  the  bird 
quick,  before  it  gets  too  well  on  the  wing,  it  will  be  yours. 
Should  the  lay  of  the  ground  be  of  such  a  character  that 
it  would  not  admit  of  your  making  a  circuit  to  the  right, 
and  left  of  the  dog,  to  encircle  the  bird,  other  tactics  should 
be  used — advance  slowly  and  cautiously  behind  the  dog,  to 
within  six  or  eight  feet  of  him ;  on  coming  up  to  this  spot 
let  your  companion  stop  and  stand  fast,  you  make  a  circuit 
around  to  the  right  or  left  to  one  side,  and  a  little  in  ad- 
vance, as  the  nature  of  the  ground  will  admit;  the  advant- 
age is  that  when  the  bird  is  flushed,  whatever  direction  it 
should  happen  to  take,  it  will  be  impossible  for  it  to  fly  off 
and  escape,  without  offering  a  fair  chance  to  be  killed,  by 


196     FRANK  SCHLEY's  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

exposing  its  vital  parts  to  a  cross  or  side  shot,  from  one  or 
the  other  of  you.  Eemember,  these  stragetic  movements 
should  never  be  attempted,  except  over  well  broken,  staunch 
dogs.  When  Pheasant  shooting  with  dogs  of  such  a  char- 
acter that  you  cannot  depend  upon  them  to  stand  firm  upon 
their  game,  the  best  plan  to  pursue  to  be  successful,  is  to 
mark  the  birds  down,  keep  your  dogs  behind  you,  and  walk 
the  birds  up.  In  this  way,  when  your  dogs  start  a  Pheas- 
ant, watch  the  bird  in  its  flight,  mark  the  course  it  has 
taken,  call  your  dogs  in  and  keep  them  behind  you,  and 
follow  on  the  bird's  line  of  flight  the  course  it  has  taken, 
and  when  you  have  gone  far  enough,  or  close  to  the  place 
where  you  thought  it  settled,  step  off"  right  or  left  from 
this  line  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  turn  squarely  to  the  right 
or  left,  have  your  finger  upon  the  trigger,  and  keep  a  sharp 
lookout,  taking  a  direct  course  running  with  your  first  line ; 
when  you  have  reached  your  limit  of  distance  that  you  sup- 
posed the  bird  to  lie,  turn  to  the  right  or  left  from  twenty 
to  thirty  feet,  according  to  the  thickness  of  the  cover,  and 
take  a  course  backwards  parallel  to  your  first  line.  So  con- 
tinue on  in  this  way  until  you  have  been  over,  in  parallel 
lines,  all  the  ground  that  is  likely  to  contain  your  bird. 
Should  you  fail  to  get  the  bird  up,  let  your  dogs  out,  hunt 
them  close  around  and  in  your  sight,  give  them  plenty  of 
time  and  they  will  be  apt  to  find  it.  Should  it  get  up  too 
far  in  advance,  or  escape  by  plunging  into  thick  cover, 
which  it  is  almost  sure  to  do,  don't  get  in  a  rage  or  curse 
yoiir  luck,  or  get  discouraged,  but  take  it  coolly,  call  your 
dogs  in  and  keep  them  behind  you,  and  follow  on  after  the 
bird  as  before.  Stick  to  him,  for  the  oftener  it  is  driven 
up,  the  more  chances  you  will  have  of  bagging  it.  After 
being  driven  up  several  times  in  succession,  it  will  lose  its 
courage,  and  lie  closer,  and  become  tamer  and  tamer,  and 
•less  capable  to  evade  pursuit,  and  finally  Avill  ofl'er  you  an 
excellent  opportunity^  to  bag  it,  by  rising  close  at  your  feet. 
A  Pheasant  generally  flies  straight  off  in  a  bee  line,  but 
before  settling  he  usually  turns  to  the  right  or  left  and 
sweeps  around  and  alights,  and  by  this  trick  he  is  apt  to 


AUTUMN   PHEASANT   SHOOTING.  197 

mislead  you,  and  escape  being  found,  which  frequently  saves 
his  life.  By  following  the  rules  I  have  given,  and  perse- 
vering in  them,  if  you  are  a  good,  quick  shot,  not  one  Pheas- 
ant in  a  hundred  will  miss  your  bag. 


198     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 


SHOOTING  IN  WOODS  AND  THICKETS. 

Fast  flying  shots  and  running  game 
Shoot  without  closing  either  eye  to  aim. 

Schley. 


iHE  gun  for  shooting  in  the  woods  and  thickets  should 
be  a  short  barrel,  No.  12, 13,  or  14  guage.  The  length 
of  the  barrel  should  not  be  more  than  twenty-nine 
inches.  A  short  barrel  gun  of  this  description  can 
be  handled  very  easily,  and  quickly,  among  the  bushes, 
whereas  a  longer  barrel  would  baulk  the  shooter  by  catch- 
ing against  the  branches  of  trees  and  brush  wood.  To  be 
successful  in  shooting  in  the  woods  and  thickets,  the  sports- 
man should  take  advantage  of  all  and  every  chance,  that 
offers  a  chance  to  be  hit.  Never  refuse  a  fair  chance,  under 
the  hope  of  getting  a  better  one — shoot  if  it  is  only  where 
you  expect  a  bird,  or  animal  to  appear,  or  close  to  where 
one  has  disappeared.  By  practicing  this  kind  of  shooting 
in  the  woods  and  thickets,  if  you  have  a  keen,  quick  eye, 
and  quick  action,  you  will  acquire  the  art  of  killing  birds 
and  animals,  even  after  they  have  passed  entirely  from  your 
sight,  behind  the  thickest  foliage,  and  you  will  get  the  knack 
of  pitching  the  gun  to  your  shoulder  and  stopping  your  bird, 
or  animal,  in  the  thickest  woods  or  thicket,  at  the  moment 
you  hear  the  sound  of  their  feet,  or  the  flap  of  their  wings, 
without  knowing  how  you  shot  them  or  whether  you  saw 
them  at  all  when  you  fired.  If  your  dog  points  a  Pheas- 
ant, Woodcock,  Partridge,  or  the  like,  into  brushwood, 
briars  or  laurels,  and  you  are  close  on  the  game,  kick  the 
brushwood  with  your  foot,  tap  the  briars,  laurels  and  the 
like  with  the  point  of  the  gun.  If  the  game  springs  and 
darts  off  though  the  bushes,  or  hanging  branches,  and  you 


SHOOTING  IN  WOODS  AND  THICKETS.  199 

lose  sight  of  it,  be  quick  in  shooting.  Pitch  the  gun  upj 
and  at  the  instant  the  butt  of  the  gun  touches  the  shoulder, 
draw  the  trigger  and  fire,  shoot  in  the  line  the  game  is  go-» 
ing,  never  mind  the  bushes,  branches,  and  leaves,  the  shot 
will  pass  through  them.  If  your  eye  takes  the  line  of  flight 
correctly,  you  will  bag  your  game,  the  shot  will  riddle  the 
bushes  and  splinter  the  branches,  and  bring  down  twigS 
and  leaves,  and  if  you  hear  a  sound,  as  if  something  struck 
or  fluttered,  or  a  rustle  of  the  leaves,  or  see  floating  feathers, 
you  can  be  sure  you  have  bagged  your  game.  When  shoot- 
ing in  woods  and  thickets,  always  take  advantage  of  the 
open  places.  Place  yourself  in  a  good  position,  so  you  will 
have  plenty  of  room  to  handle  yourself,  and  free  scope  for 
firing.  Do  not  place  yourself  in  high  briars,  or  close  run- 
ning vines,  and  get  tied  up,  or  under  overhanging  bushes,^ 
or  under  low  hanging  branches.  The  art  of  knowing  how 
and  where  to  place  yourself  to  get  a  fair  shot  in  thick  co- 
vert, is  one  of  the  secrets  of  success  in  filling  the  game  bag. 
When  rabbit  shooting  in  woods  or  thickets,  have  plenty  of 
dogs,  the  more  the  merrier.  When  the  dogs  bounce  a 
rabbit,  do  not  follow  the  dogs,  but  place  yourself  in  a  clear 
space  of  ground  or  path,  and  there  stand  perfectly  still,' 
have  your  gun  in  hand  and  be  ready,  keep  your  tongue 
quiet,  and  your  ears  open,  and  look  sharp,  and  you  will 
have  a  far  better  chance  of  bagging  it,  than  by  running 
around  and  about  with  the  dogs.  If  any  kind  of  game  is 
approaching  you,  and  you  are  in  cover  and  the  game  is  near 
at  hand,  and  you  are  standing  erect,  remain  so  and  be  per- 
fectly motionless,  do  not  move  a  muscle,  the  game  will  not 
be  apt  to  notice  you  if  your  dress  is  suitable  to  the  cover, 
but  if  you  move  or  attempt  to  dodge  or  hide,  they  will 
catch  sight  of  you  by  the  least  movement,  and  on  doing  so 
you  will  lose  your  chance.  When  shooting  along  hillsides, 
and  steep  precipices,  and  narrow  ridges,  or  sloping  banks, 
which  are  grown  up  with  wood — walk  always  along  the 
lower  side  of  the  rise — you  will  get  a  better  range  of  the 
ground  than  by  walking  along  the  upper  side  of  the  rise. 
When  shooting  in  woods  or  thickets,  always  advance  upon 


200    PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING.  . 

the  game  from  below,  and  drive  them  up  hill,  and  you  will 
have  a  better  chance  of  shooting  them,  and  marking  them, 
than  by  advancing  upon  them  down  hill.  "When  shooting 
in  a  long,  narrow  strip  of  wood  or  thicket  for  Pheasants, 
Partridges,  Woodcock,  Eabbits,  or  the  like,  and  you  have 
a  companion,  one  should  walk  on  each  side  and  outside  of 
the  cover.  The  dogs  should  go  inside.  You  should  keep 
in  line  and  in  sight  of  each  other.  If  one  fires  both  must 
stop  and  stand  still.  Make  the  dogs  do  the  same.  When 
the  gun  is  reloaded,  go  and  pick  up  the  game  and  bag  it, 
after  which  go  on  as  before.  On  coming  up  to  the  end  of 
the  thicket,  or  woods,  and  you  have  reason  to  think  the 
dogs  missed  a  Eabbit  or  a  Pheasant,  or  the  like,  try  it  again, 
go  back  on  your  tracks  slowly,  and  give  the  dogs  plenty 
of  time.  When  shooting  in  a  wood,  or  thicket,  with  a  com- 
panion, keep  in  line  of  each  other  and  in  sight.  Be  always 
on  your  guard,  and  always  ready  to  fire,  but  at  the  same 
time  you  should  be  cautious  and  watchful  how  you  handle 
your  gun  and  how  you  shoot,  for  when  you  least  expect 
you  may  accidentally  shoot  yourself  or  friend.  When  still 
shooting  in  the  woods  or  thickets  for  game,  keep  a  sharp 
lookout,  not  only  for  the  game,  but  for  anything  uncommon 
among  the  surrounding  objects  that  strikes  your  attention. 
Walk  along  noiselessly,  in  the  most  open  places,  select  out 
the  softest  places,  avoid  loose  stones  and  brushwood,  or  any- 
thing that  will  betray  your  steps.  Do  not  leave  a  hole  or 
nook  unsearched  by  your  glance.  Notice  the  waving  of 
one  branch  in  particular,  when  all  others  are  quiet,  the 
slightest  rustle  of  the  leaves,  the  disturbed  surface  of  a  pool, 
the  fresh  breakage  of  a  branch,  the  falling  of  a  green  leaf, 
or  an  upturned  dead  one,  everything  must  be  noticed,  even 
from  the  faintest  sound,  to  an  alarmed  chatter  of  a  bird. 
Nothing  should  be  passed  unheeded  by  the  sportsman  it  he 
wishes  to  fill  his  game  bag. 


SPORTING   DOGS.  201 


SPORTING  DOGS. 

ffE  best  sport  with  the  gun  and  the  highest  enjoy- 
ment of  Partridge  and  Pheasant  shooting  are  with 
good  dogs.  A  full  treatise  on  sporting  dogs  must 
not  be  looked  for  within  the  limits  of  such  a  book  as 
this ;  at  the  utmost  a  few  hints  and  instructions  only  can 
be  afforded.  For  the  most  general  and  useful  information 
regarding  sporting  dogs,  I  beg  to  refer  the  reader  to  the 
"American  Kennel,  and  Sporting  Field,"  by  Arnold  Sur- 
ges. This  valuable  work  contains  all  that  is  requisite  for 
a  sportsman  to  know  in  reference  to  these  highly  interest- 
ing animals,  and  a  copy  of  this  beautiful  and  instructive 
volume  should  be  found  in  every  sportsman's  library.  On 
sporting  dogs  Mr.  Burges  is  what  Baird,  Brewer,  and 
Ridgway,  are  on  birds,  and  his  opinions  are  entitled  to  the 
like  respect.  Hear  now  what  Arnold  Burges  says  on  the 
subject: 

"Just  when  the  dog  was  domesticated  and  made  the  com- 
panion and  servant  of  man  is  a  question  which  cannot  be 
answered.  The  early  history  of  his  race  is  wrapped  in  the 
obscurity  of  a  far  distant  past.  From  Holy  Writ  we  gather 
proofs  of  his  presence  in  the  tents  of  the  Israelites,  while  the 
historian  speaks  of  him  as  a  retainer  in  the  households  of 
the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans.  In  the  British  Museum 
there  is  a  has  relief  exhumed  from  the  ruins  of  Nineveh 
which  represents  the  dog  as  taking  part  in  the  chase,  and 
relics  of  later  days  from  Pompeii  present  him  in  all  the  fa- 
miliar relations  which  he  bears  at  the  present  day. 

It  is  certain,  then,  that  for  many  ages  the  dog  has  been 
associated  with  man,  following  his  fortunes,  and  rendering 
him  faithful  and  loving  service.     Confined  to  no  particular 
2G 


202     PRANK  SCIILEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

division  of  the  globe,  but  essentially  cosmopolitan,  he  exists 
wherever  man  dwells,  and  relatively  keeps  pace  with  his 
master  in  development  of  intelligence  and  the  higher  attri- 
butes of  his  nature.  It  is  very  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
the  dog,  like  many  other  species  of  animals,  was  divided 
into  different  families,  according  to  the  localities  in  which 
he  dwelt,  and  the  influence  to  which  he  was  subjected. 

The  best  of  modern  writers,  among  whom  I  may  men- 
tion "Stonehenge,"  Laverack,  and  "Idstone,"  all  say  that 
the  Setter  is  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Land  Spaniel,  and 
speak  of  a  "Setting  Spaniel"  as  the  first  Setter.  There  is 
no  doubt  that  this  is  a  correct  theory,  and  that  our  Setter 
is  a  pure,  unadulterated,  but  improved,  Spaniel.  "Stone- 
henge" saj's:  "A  Duke  of  Northumberland  trained  one  to 
set  birds  in  1555,  and  shortly  after  the  Setter  was  pro- 
duced." It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  "Setting  Span- 
iel" was  a  very  different  dog  from  the  Spaniel  of  the 
present  time,  which  does  not  as  a  rule,  and  never  has  dis- 
played, a  faculty  for  setting  or  pointing  game.  The  old 
Setting  Spaniel  has  lost  his  identity  by  merging  it  in  his 
descendant,  the  Setter;  in  fact,  this  Spaniel  may  be  said  to 
have  become  extinct  by  the  breeding  of  an  improved  ani- 
mal. "Idstone,"  in  his  work  on  the  dog,  says:  "The 
English  Setter  was  known  in  England  man}-  3'ears  before 
the  Pointer  was  introduced,  and  1  have  little  doubt  tliat  he 
followed  the  Eomans,  or  was  brought  with  them." 

"Stonehenge"  also  says:  "He  is  the  most  national  of  all 
our  dogs,  and  certainly  has  existed  for  four  centuries." 

The  trans  Atlantic  Setter  family  is  now  divided  into  three 
great  national  classes,  the  English,  Irish,  and  Gordon  or 
Scotch  varieties;  each  with  its  strongl}^  marked  distinc- 
tions of  form,  color,  and  style  of  performance.  These  may 
be  considered  the  only  Setters  worthy  of  note,  for  though 
there  are  certainly  a  immber  of  continental  breeds,  they 
cannot  compare  with  those  I  have  mentioned.  In  this 
country  our  best  dogs  are,  as  a  class,  those  recently  im- 
])orted  or  the  descendants  of  imported  stock,  although  we 
Jiow  and  then  find  a  dog  to  which  the  title  "native"  may 


SPORTING   DOGS.  203 

be  iipt'v  applied,  (since  all  trace  of  his  descent  from  any 
pjirtieiilar  strain  has  been  lost,)  that  in  the  field  can,  for 
nose,  jnice,  and  staunchness,  hold  his  own  against  any  of  his 
more  aristocratic  confreres.     Here,  however,  he  stops. 

The  Setter  is  at  present  the  favorite  with  sportsmen 
generall}',  and,  ior  my  part,  I  think  he  is  fiill}^  entitled  to 
this  honor;  since  both  my  own  experience,  and  such  evi- 
dence as  I  have  been  able  to  collect,  show  that  he  is  unde- 
niably better  adapted  for  all  kinds  of  work  than  any  other 
field  dog.  As  to  which  of  the  diflterent  varieties  is  the  best 
it  is  certainly  a  difficult  question  to  answer  without  preju- 
dice. Each  has  its  friends  and  partisans,  and  as  between 
good  things  it  is  hard  to  make  a  selection  I  can  only  say 
that  either  ia  good  enough,  and  my  readers  may  follow  the 
dictates  of  their  own  fanc}'  without  fear  of  getting  an  in- 
ferior animal  provided  they  are  careful  to  get  pure  blood. 

It  was  not  until  the  Setter  had  been  for  many  years  a 
resident  of  Great  Britain  that  the  Pointer  made  his  first 
appearance  in  that  realm,  being  imported  from  Spain  by 
some  admirer  of  his  keen  nose  and  indomitable  staunchness. 
The  original  color  was  liver  and  white,  and  the  dog  was 
large  boned,  with  a  heavy  head  and  slack  loins.  In  the 
field  he  possessed  exquisite  scenting  powers,  but  was  surly 
and  cross  in  disposition,  stubborn,  and  almost  devoid  of 
aifection  for  his  master.  Of  his  origin  nothing  is  positively 
known,  but  most  of  the  old  time  authorities  consider  him 
a  cross  from  some  of  the  larger  hounds. 

Whatever  ma}"  have  been  the  descent  of  the  old  Span- 
iard, whether  pure  or  of  hound  extraction  as  these  authors 
assert,  the  modern  Pointer  is  essentially  a  made-up  dog. 

From  his  slow  and  pottering  style,  the  Spaniard  soon 
came  to  be  regarded  with  disfavor,  and  breeders  cast  about 
them  for  some  cross  which  would  produce  a  dog  perpetu- 
ating the  Bose  and  staunchness  of  his  ancestor,  but  gifted 
with  a  better  form  and  more  speed.  To  gain  these,  Fox- 
hound blood  was  introduced  with  the  happiest  results:  and 
towards  the  close  of  the  last  century  "Dash,"  a  liver  and 
white  dog  belonging  to  Col.  Thornton,  showed  such  supe- 


204     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

rior  qualities  that  he  was  sold  for  one  hundred  and  twenty 
guineas  and  a  cask  of  Medeira.  This  cross  introduced  dif. 
ferent  colors,  and  we  have  now  the  self  or  uniform  colors, — 
such  as  white,  liver,  lemon,  black, — and  the  black  and  tan, 
and  mixed  colors.  Various  other  ^crosses  have  been  intro- 
duced from  time  to  time,  as  experiments,  until  the  dog  of 
to-day  is  the  result  of  several  combined  strains  of  blood. 

The  Pointer  has  no  such  strongly  marked  natural  divi- 
sions as  the  Setter,  and  the  principal  distinction  between 
families  lie  in  the  color  (which  has  been  adopted  and  bred 
by  different  sportsmen)  and  the  size.  This  last  is  divided 
by  English  show  judges  into  three  classes,  viz.,  large,  me- 
dium, and  small.  The  weight  of  the  large  Pointer  is  from 
seventy  pounds  upwards;  of  the  medium,  from  fifty-five  to 
sixty,  and  of  the  small  variety  from  forty-five  to  fifty,  the 
bitches  in  each  class  being  from  five  to  ten  pounds  lighter 
than  the  dogs. 

The  greatest  fault  (and  it  is  undeniably  a  great  one)  in 
the  modern  Pointer  is  his  delicacy.  AVhile  thei  Spanish 
Pointer  was  a  rough-coated,  thick-skinned  animal,  the  dog 
of  this  day  has  a  fine,  satin-like  coat,  and  a  skin  so  thin 
that  he  is  unfit  for  cold  or  severe  work  upon  the  half  frozen 
marshes,  or  in  thorny  covers.  He  may,  indeed,  endure  such 
for  a  time,  through  sheer  pluck  and  courage,  but  it  is  only 
a  question  of  time  with  him,  and  he  must  eventually  suc- 
cumb to  wounds,  sore  feet,  or  frost. 


WHAT  CONSTITUTES  A  GOOD  DOG.  205 


WHAT  CONSTITUTES  A  GOOD  DOG. 


IV^lir  R.  BURGES  says:  However  much  critics  may  dif- 
i|J^(^  t'er  upon  minor  points,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of 
^''  t  heir  all  agreeing  that  the  essential  points  of  a  ^od 

4^7  dog  are  nose^  staunchness^  pace,  endurance,  intelli- 
gence and  high  breeding  These  must  be  brought  up  to 
the  highest  degree  of  perfection,  and  are  each  of  such  pri- 
mary importance  that  the  absence  of  either  will  at  once 
stamp  the  dog  as  an  inferior  animal.  It  is  impossible,  pro- 
vided these  qualities  exist  in  a  proportionate  and  well-bal- 
anced degree,  that  any  animal  can  be  too  largely  endowed 
with  them ;  but  this  perfect  combination  is  a  thing  of  rare 
attainment,  and  hence  it  is  that  so  many  fall  short  of  the 
standard  of  excellence.  A  brief  consideration  of  each  point 
will  soon  satisfy  us  of  the  truth  of  this  assertion,  and  show 
how  great  are  the  requirements  of  a  perfect  animal. 

NOSE. 

By  nose  we  mean  that  keen  and  sensitive  condition  of 
the  olfactory  nerves  which  enables  the  dog  to  snuff  "the 
tainted  gale,"  and  follow  the  unseen  trail  of  the  skulk- 
ing Grouse  or  Cock  to  the  very  spot  where  it  lies  hid.  To 
do  this  uiider  fixvorable  conditions  of  wind  and  ground 
is  an  easy  task,  and  one  that  an  ordinary  animal  can 
accomplish;  but  when  these  conditions  are  not  present, 
and  the  ground  and  wind  bear  a  faint  and  baffling  scent, 
and  acuteness  of  perceptive  faculty  is  required,  belonging 
only  to  the  superior  dog.  To  deserve  such  a  high  reputa- 
tion a  dog  must  be  able  to  catch  the  faintest  taint  while 
going  at  full  speed  up  or  across  the  wind,  to  detect  at  once 
the  presence  of  a  close-lying  bevy  or  a  single  bird,  and  to 


206     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

lofjito  it  with  certainty.  The  manner  in  which  a  dog  car- 
ries his  nose  may  seem  to  the  uninitiated  a  matter  of  mere 
Ikncy ;  but  indeed  it  is  far  otherwise,  since  what  avails  it 
that  the  nose  be  naturally  good,  provided  it  is  so  carried 
that  its  power  cannot  be  brought  into  play?  In  this  con- 
nection experience  has  taught  us  two  things,  viz.:  Firsts 
that  as  the  scent  naturally  rises,  and  is  the  strongest  in  the 
air,  a  high-headed  dog  can  wind  a  bird  much  farther  than 
the  low-headed  one  that  follows  by  foot  trail.  Second,  that 
where  birds  are  wild,  the  dog  that  carries  his  nose  up, 
drawing  the  scent  directly  from  the  body  of  the  bird,  can 
approach  much  nearer  to  the  game  than  the  dog  that 
roads  it  up.  So  marked  have  been  the  proofs  of  this,  that 
•'low  nose,  no  nose"  has  become  with  many  sportsmen  an 
accepted  rule,  to  w^hich  the  few  exceptions  furnish  cor- 
roborative testimony.  From  these  f.icts  it  becomes  evident 
that  to  take  a  high  rank  for  nose,  style  of  carriage  is  justly 
regarded  as  a  very  in\portant  point;  and  I  am  satisfied 
that  all  sportsmen  who  like  myself  have  followed  the  dogs 
on  bad  scenting  days  over  rough  mountain  ridges  after  the 
lordly  Euffed  Grouse,  and  who  have  seen  some  cautious 
high-headed  Setter  get  point  after  point  before  his  lower- 
headed  companion,  will  join  me  in  upholding  a  rule  which 
forms  the  best  standard  for  the  selection  of  animals  wor- 
th}' of  the  breaker's  time  and  trouble. 

STAUNCHNESS. 

After  the  ability  to  find  game,  comes  that  sfanncJiness 
and  retention  of  point  which  allows  the  sportsman  to 
reap  the  reward  of  his  arduous  labors.  How  aptly  come 
now  to  mind  the  words  I  have  already  quoted,  ^'then 
shall  your  Setter  stick  "—yes,  stand  firm  as  a  rooted  pine, 
fixed  and  immovable.  The  beauty  of  such  a  point  Avith 
all  its  attractive  details  of  attitude,  rigid,  yet  thrilling 
and  quivering  with  latent  life;  its  expression  eloquent 
with  mingled  excitement,  caution  and  j^leasure,  as  the^hot 
scent  is   eagerly   drunk   up   by   the  broad  expanded  nos- 


WHAT  CONSTITUTES  A  (lOUD  DOO.  207 

trils,  would  furnish  a  fitting  subject  for  the  artist's  [)cii- 
cil,  if  it  was  not  far  beyond  the  power  of  any  pencil,  even 
that  which  has  so  lately  fallen  from  the  dead  hand  of  tne 
great  master  of  animal  painters. 

Inspirin<^  as  such  a  spectacle  is,  the  practical  benetits  of 
thorough  staunchness  are  of  much  more  consequence,  as 
without  this  quality  the  Setter  or  Pointer  is  no  hotter  than 
tlie  Spaniel,  if  as  good.  In  working  up  and  finding  game, 
especially  in  cover,  a  good  Spaniel  will  undoubtedly  find  as 
many  birds  as  either;  but  as  he  makes  no  point,  many 
rtiiots  are  lost  from  the  inability  of  the  shooter  to  get  a 
favorable  position  before  starting  his  bird.  I  do  not  think 
It  ])ossible  for  a  dog  to  be  too  staunch,  though  I  have  seen 
some  that  were  very  difficult  to  break  from  this  very  qual- 
ity, as  it  was  almost  impossible  to  make  them  leave  the 
first  point  and  move  up  to  the  bird.  Probably  no  dog  ever 
had  staunchness  so  largely  developed  as  jthc  old  Spanish 
Pointer,  which  "Idstone"  says  (quoting  from  the  Sporting 
Magazine)  has  been  known  to  stand  *'for  as  many  as  twelve 
hours;"  and  in  another  place  he  speaks  of  an  instance  re- 
lated to  him  by  a  reliable  witness,  who  "came  upon  a  dog 
which  had  been  frozen  dead  upon  his  point,  probably  being 
overlooked  or  lost  by  his  owner  towards  the  decline  of  day ; 
but  there  was  the  poor  victim,  stark  and  dead — a  martyr 
to  his  profession,  a  victim  to  his  training  and  culture."  It 
is  true  that  our  dogs  do  not  make  such  lasting  points  as 
this;*and,«indeed,  I  should  consider  it  the  height  of  cruelty 
to  try  a  dog  in  such  a  manner;  but  wc  have  dogs  staunch 
enough  for  all  practical  pur])oses,  and  during  my  own  ex- 
perience I  can  recall  several  cases  where  dogs  have  been 
lost  in  thick  cover  and  found  perhaps  an  hour  afterwards, 
standing  staunchly.  I  also  once  owned  a  black  and  blue 
dog  that  I  do  not  think  could  be  induced  by  any  means  to 
break  his  point  after  once  reaching  his  bird.  I  tried  to 
teach  him  to  put  up  his  birds  at  the  word,  but  in  vain,  for 
rather  than  go  on  he  would  charge  to  point — this  was, 
however,  only  the  case  with  birds  that  had  not  been  fired 


208     PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SUOOTINCi. 

at,  as  I  had  no  trouble  in  making  him  retrieve  a  dead  or 
wounded  bird  after  pointing'  it. 

Of  such  absolute  importance  do  I  (jonsider  staunchness, 
that  if  I  had  a  dog  which  possessed  in  aii  eminent  degree 
every  other  qualification  but  was  unreliable  in  this  respect 
I  would  not  give  him  Kennel  room.  I  have  frequently 
heard  men  (who,  to  do  them  justice,  were  good  shots,)  say 
that  they  did  not  care  to  have  a  dog  stand  any  longer  than 
just  to  show  that  he  had  found;  but  I  still  say  that  when 
I  do  not  care  to  have  a  dog  stand  I  will  take  up  with  a 
Spaniel,  for  so  long  as  I  follow  a  Setter  I  want  him  to  show 
this  most  beautiful  and  convincing  proof  of  his  ancient  and 
royal  blood. 

PACE. 

Pace  is  but  another  name  for  the  speed  which  a  dog  ex- 
hibits in  beating  his  ground.  It  is  in  the  highest  degree 
essential,  because  it  saves  the  master  both  time  and  labor 
in  filling  his  bag.  With  a  slow  dog,  the  gun  must  either 
follow  all  over  a  field  or  wait  at  the  end  of  the  beat  till  the 
potterer  has  come  up.  Any  one  who  has  seen  a  fine,  high- 
couraged  dog  hunting  at  a  slashing  gallop,  losing  no  time 
over  blank  ground,  but  speeding  on  to  the  corner  where 
the  bevy  lies  hid,  and  there  finding  his  birds  in  half  the 
time  his  slower  brothfer  would  consume,  will  fully  appreci- 
ate the  difference  in  the  two  systems.  In  shooting  Pin- 
nated Grouse  upon  the  prairies  we  find  a  sport  which, 
more  than  any  other  upon  this  continent,  resembles  Eng- 
lish Grouse-shooting;  and  here,  from  the  wide  range  of 
country  to  be  beaten,  we  need  jmce  to  get  over  the  ground. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  Snipe,  and  Quail-shooting ;  and  the 
only  case  where  a  high  rate  of  speed  is  undesirable  is  in 
cover  work.  In  hunting  Woodcock  and  Buffed  Grouse  the 
dog  must,  as  a  rule,  keep  within  shot  of  the  gun,  for  be- 
yond this  he  will  be  liable  to  be  lost  when  standing,  to  say 
nothing  of  utterly  losing  all  shots  at  birds  which  rise  wild, 
and  will  not  he  to  point.     U^>  to  a  certain  limit  then,  pace 


WHAT  CONSTITUTES  A  GOOD  DOG.  209 

is  a  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished  for;  but  decidedly 
there  are  limits  which  cannot  be  passed  without  entailing 
a  greater  loss  than  gain.  As,  for  example,  a  prominent 
English  breeder  says  he  "does  not  want  a  dog  that  will 
find  the  greatest  number  of  birds  in  a  given  piece  of 
ground,  but  one  that  will  find  the  greatest  number  in  a 
day.''  Virtually  this  means  that  he  considers  it  of  no  conse- 
quence if  the  dog  runs  over  or  by  a  part  of  a  scattered 
pack,  provided  he  has  speed  enough  to  find  a  fresh  pack 
quickly.  This  mtiy  do  for  field  trials,  or  even  on  well- 
stocked  ground,  but  it  will  not  do  for  work  in  this  coun- 
try, as  game  is  none  too  plentiful,  and  our  sportsmen  espe- 
cially need  a  dog  that  will  find  single  birds  after  a  bevy  has 
been  broken  up;  and  a  dog  which  goes  so  fast  that  he  over- 
runs close-lying  birds  is  worthless,  and  will  be  beaten  out 
of  sight  by  a  dog  of  more  moderate  pace. 

ENDURANCE. 

So  long  as  a  dog  does  not  go  fast  enough  to  over-run 
scent,  or  bej^ond  his  powers  to  endure  continued  work,  the 
proper  limits  are  not  exceeded. 

Upon  a  dog's  powers  of  endurance  practically  depends 
his  usefulness  in  the  field.  I  have  already  spoken  of  the 
amount  of  work  frequently  demanded  of  our  dogs,  and  it 
must  be  evident  that  to  meet  this  fairly  they  must  be  en- 
dowed naturally  with  good  constitutions,  combined  with 
strong,  vigorous  frames.  These  are  the  foundations  upon 
which,  by  proper  care  and  training,  an  enduring  dog  can 
be  built  up.  A  dog  without  thorough  endurance  is  not 
worth  his  keep.  No  dog  can  by  any  possibility  carry  this 
to  an  undue  extent,  or  become  too  strong  and  tireless. 
Every  additional  day  that  he  is  able  to  work  adds  to  rather 
than  detracts  from  his  value;  and  he  i^  indeed  a  fortunate 
man  who  owns  a  dog  for  whom  no  day  is  so  long  or  hard 
that  he  will  not  give  the  gun  a  joyous  welcome  on  the 
succeeding  morning. 

27 


210    FRANK  Schley's  partridge  and  pheasant  shooting. 


INTELLIGENCE. 

There  are  as  widely  different  degrees  of  intelligence  be- 
tween dogs  as  between  members  of  the  human  famil}",  but 
I  think  I  am  safe  in  claiming  that,  as  a  rule,  highly-bred 
dogs  possess  greater  intelligence  than  their  plebeian  broth- 
ers. It  is  generally  claimed  that  a  dog  does  not  possess 
reasoning  power,  but  that  his  actions  are  purely  instinc- 
tive; yet  we  often  witness  exhibitions  of  a  faculty  which 
trenches  so  closely  upon  the  boundaries  of  the  nobler  at- 
tributes that  it  is  hard  to  say  where  the  dividing  line  is 
drawn.  It  is  this  capacity  for  appreciating  and  combining 
facts  which  enables  the  intelligent  dog  to  acquire  such  a 
knowledge  of  the  habits  and  nature  of  his  game  that  he  is 
often  able  to  outwit  the  bird  by  a  display  of  superior  tac- 
tics. Any  ordinary  dog  soon  learns  to  follow  a  trail  till 
the  bird  flushes  or  lies  to  point;  but  it  requires  a  higher 
order  of  intellect  to  prompt  the  dog  voluntarily  to  head  a 
running  bird  so  as  to  get  it  between  himself  and  the  gun. 
A  truly  intelligent  dog  is  constantly  advancing;  his  in- 
stinct or  mind  never  rests,  but  goes  on  adding  to  its  store 
of  experience,  so  that  when  any  emergencj'  arises  he  is 
prepared  to  meet  it  with  a  corresponding  action  unerringly 
directed  towards  the  attainment  of  success. 

That  most  eloquent  of  sporting  writers,  Herbert,  known 
to  the  craft  as  "Frank  Forrester,"  in  speaking  of  breeding, 
said :  "In  all  animals,  from  man  down  to  the  bullock  and 
Berkshire  hog,  I  am  an  implicit  believer  in  the  efficacy  of 
blood  and  breeding  to  develope  all  qualities,  especially  cour- 
age to  do,  and  courage  to  bear,  as  well  as  to  produce  the 
highest  and  most  delicate  nervous  organization ;  and  I 
would  as  willingly  have  a  cur  in  my  shooting  kennel  as  a 
mule  in  my  racing  stable,  if  I  had  one."  In  this  theory 
Herbert  is  thoroughly  supported  by  all  experienced  breed- 
ers. "Blood  will  tell"  is  not  more  an  old  saying  than  a 
positive  fact,  and  though  there  is  no  rule  without  its  ex- 
ceptions, there  are  probably  fewer  exceptions  to  this  than 
to  any  other. 


CHOOSING  A  DOG.  211 


'uf' 


CHOOSING  A  DOG. 


R.  BUEGES  says:  In  choosing  a  dog,  the  first  thing 

||  to  be  considered,  then,  is  blood,  for  though  there 

-^^^  may  be  and  certainly  are  some  dogs  which  have  no 

W^  definite  pedigree,  3'et  are  first-class  performers  in 
the  field,  the  advantages  of  superior  blood  are  too  evident 
to  be  neglected  when  contemplating  a  purchase.  In  all 
cases  where  a  dog  is  represented  as  belonging  to  a  partic- 
ular stock,  examine  him  to  see  if  he  bears  the  marks  of 
that  stock.  Do  not  be  imposed  upon  by  the  assertion  that 
the  dog  is  pure  blooded,  but  is  mismarked.  Remember 
that  there  are  certain  colors  which  have  belonged  to  each 
blood  for  so  man}^  years  that  any  change  in  these  is  the 
strongest  proof  of  an  outer oss. 

Each  of  the  prominent  breeds  of  Setters,  viz.:  English, 
Irish  and  Gordon,  has  its  individual  and  recognized  color 
or  colors,  and  as  these  are  unknown  to  many  of  our  sports- 
men, I  give  the  following  as  rules  for  judgment,  in  which  I 
am  supported  by  the  leading  sporting  authorities  of  Eng- 
land. 

Of  the  English  Setter,  "Stonehenge,"  in  his  '^Dogs  of 
the  British  Isles,''  says :  "We  place  the  colors  in  order  of 
merit :  1 — Orange  and  white,  with  freckled  nose  and  legs ; 
2 — Orange  and  white;  3 — ^Lemon  and  white;  4 — Black  and 
white  ticked,  with  slight  tanned  spots  on  feet  and  legs, 
commonly  called  Belton  greys  ;  5 — Pure  white  ;  6 — Black ; 
7— Fallow  or  yellow ;  8 — Liver,  or  liver  and  white."  In 
"The  Setter."  Mr.  Laverack  mentions  these  colors,  and 
gives  the  colors  of  a  breed  bearing  his  name,  the  blood  of 
which  can  be  traced  back  for  over  eighty  years.  Color 
black,  or  blue  and  white  ticked.  *  *  *  *  "There  is 
another  variety  of  the  same  strain,  called  the  lemon  and 


212     FRANK  SCHLKY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

white  Belton,  exactly  the  same  breed  and  blood.  These 
are  marked  similar  to  the  blues,  except  being  spotted  all 
through  with  lemon  color  instead  of  blue." 

By  the  expression  "ticked"  it  is  understood  that  the 
marking  is  in  minute  spots  of  blue,  black  or  lemon,  on 
white  ground. 

The  color  of  the  Irish  Setter,  like  the  Gordon,  is  in  some 
respects  in  controversy.  "Stonehenge"  says:  "The  blood 
red,  or  rich  chestnut  or  mahogany  color,  the  deep  rich  red — 
not  golden,  not  fallow,  nor  yellow,  nor  fawn — but  deep 
pure  blood  red,  is  the  color  of  an  Irish  Setter  of  high  mark. 
This  color  must  be  unmixed  with  black,  and  tested  by  a 
strong  light;  there  must  not  be  black  shadows  or  waves, 
much  less  black  fringe  to  the  ear,  or  profile  to  the  frame. 
There  are  good  Irish  Setters  nearl}-  white,  red  and  white, 
black-tan,  or  intimatel}^  crossed  with  black-tan,  and  in  the 
last  case  showing  the  distinctive  marks  of  the  cross  in  the 
black  tipping  of  the  coat,  which  Irish  judges  consider  a 
very  great  fault  in  color."  Practically  the  same  are  the  ex- 
pressions of  Laverack  and  "Idstone,"  though  the  former 
says,  "My  firm  belief  is  that  no  Irish  Setter  exists  without 
throwing  back  occasionally  to  black."  He  also  says  that 
there  is  a  breed  of  deep  red  and  white  Irish  dogs  as  pure 
if  not  purer  than  the  red. 

The  Duke  of  Gordon  is  justly  credited  with  having 
brought  the  breed  named  after  him  to  its  present  perfec- 
tion, and  it  has  ever  been  a  question  where  he  got  his  col- 
ors from.  According  to  some  they  were  obtained  by  cross- 
ing to  a  colly  or  shepherd  bitch,  but  the  generally  accepted 
opinion  is  that  he  introduced  the  red  Irish  blood  into  his 
kennel.  The  best  authorities  agree  that  there  can  be  but 
four  shades  or  mixed  colors  in  the  pure  Gordon.  First  of 
these  at  the  present  time,  according  to  "Stonehenge," 
"Idstone,"  Laverack,  and  all  other  authorities,  stands  the 
black  and  tan;  indeed,  Laverack  says,  "Originally,  the 
Gordon  Setters  were  all  black  and  tan." 

It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  Duke  of  Gordon  was  very 
partial  to  the  black,  white  and  tan,  and  in  this  connection 


CHOOSING  A  DOG.  213 

Laverack  speaks  of  a  visit  to  Castle  Gordon,  two  years 
after  the  death  of  the  Duke,  and  says,  "then  and  now,  all 
the  Gordon  Castle  Setters  were  black,  white  and  tan." 

Without  regard  to  where  the  cross  was  obtained,  all 
judges  agree  that  the  only  admissible  colors  for  the  Gordon 
are  black  and  tan;  black,  white  and  tan;  deep  red;  and 
pure  black.  These  colors  must  also  be  extreme  shades— 
that  is,  the  black  must  be  a  raven  black,  and  the  red  a  rich 
blood  hue.  This  restriction  of  color  certainly  marks  this 
dog  as  clearly  as  possible,  and  when  taken  in  connection 
with  his  peculiar  form,  renders  it  impossible  to  confound 
him  with  any  oth«r.  The  only  poisibility  of  error  would 
be  in  mistaking  the  red  Gordons  for  Irish  dogs,  but  the 
build  and  general  appearance  of  the  two  diifer  so  much 
that  there  is  but  little  chance  for  this,  provided  the  exam- 
iner has  any  knowledge  of  the  two  breeds. 

Now,  as  each  of  these  great  varieties  of  Setters  has  its 
own  predominant  color,  it  becomes  evident  that  it  is  pos- 
sible for  a  good  dog  to  have  a  bad  color:  that  is,  for  a  good 
dog  in  the  field  to  be  of  a  color  which  proves  he  has  other 
blood  in  his  veins  than  that  which  his  name  indicates.  For 
instance,  if  a  man  has  an  orange  and  white,  liver,  or  liver 
and  white  dog  and  calls  him  a  Gordon,  the  skilled  judge, 
knowing  that  such  colors  do  not  belong  to  the  Gordon  at 
all,  at  once  pronounces  the  dog  not  pure.  Neither  would 
a  blue  ticked  dog  pass  for  Irish,  nor  a  blood  red  for  a  Lav- 
erack, unless  in  the  latter  case  sufficiently  strong  evidence 
be  brought  forward  to  prove  descent  despite  the  suspicious 
color. 

Color,  then,  affords  one  of  the  best  standards  by  which 
a  purchaser  can  judge  the  purify  of  blood  in  the  Setter 
offered  him.  It  is  also  essential  that  he  have  sufficient  idea 
of  the  build  and  form  of  each  breed  to  avoid  error  when 
the  colors  confound  him. 

Being  assured  of  the  blood,  examine  the  dog  carefully  to 
see  that  he  is  well  formed  for  endurance,  pace,  nose,  and 
intelligence.  In  the  Setter,  the  head  should  be  high  and 
archeil   between  the  ears.     The  nose,  from  the  corner  of 


214     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

the  eye  to. the  tip,  should  be  from  four  to  four  and  a-half 
inches  long;  at  the  end   it  should  be  squarely  cut,  though 
not  with  heavy  pendulous  lips;  the  nostrils  should  be  open, 
moist,  and  delicately  sensitive;  avoid  by  all  means  every 
approach  to  the  double  or  split  nose,  a  mark  which  never 
belongs  to   any  pure   breed   of  Setter,    whatsoever.     The 
ears  should  be  set  low  on  the  head  and  should  hang  close 
to  the  cheeks;  they  should  be  largest  at  the  point  of  in- 
tersection with  the  head,  and  should  be  handsomely  feath- 
ered to  the  tips,  which  should  be  rounded  and  not  triangu- 
lar or  sharp-pointed;  under  no  circumstances  should  they 
be  cocked,  as  that  lends  a  very  cur-like  look  to  the  animal. 
The  neck  should  be  long  and  flexible,  with  a  clean  cut 
connection  with  the  head.     The  shoulders  should  be  well 
developed  with  long  blades,  and  the  legs  strong,  though 
not  clumsy  in  bone;  they  should  have  large  joints  at  knee 
and  pastern,  and  should  incline  slightly  forward  in  front, 
80  that  when  standing  the  feet  will  be  a  little  in  advance 
of  a  perpendicular;  the  hind  legs  should  be  long  to  the 
hock,  with  short  lower  limbs.     The  feet  should  be  round 
and  cat-like,  with  the  toes  arched  and  springy,  and  with 
thick  tufts  of  hair  between  them  to  protect  the  foot  when 
hunting.     The  chest  should  be  deep,  to  allow  room  for  the 
heart  and  lungs ;  there  is  a  great  distinction  between  a  deep 
and  a  broad  chest,  the  latter  giving  a  heavy  and  clumsy 
appearance  to  the  dog,  which  is  generally  sustained  in  the 
field  by  his  proving  slow  and  unable  to  do  fast  w^ork.    The 
ribs  should  be  arched  but  not  rounded,  and  the  back  ones 
should  be  as  deep  as  possible,  giving  strength  and  support 
to  the  frame.    The  hips  should  be  large  and  wide ;  the  tail 
well  set.  deeply  feathered  in  the  center,  running  to  a  sharp 
tip,  and  carried   below  the  line  of  the  back  with  a  slight 
curve  upwards.     The  coat  should  be  fine  and  silky,  abso- 
lutely devoid  of  curl,  and  as  straight  and  flat  as  possible ; 
it  should  be  of  medium  weight  and  have  a  tendency  to 
part  down  the  middle  of  the  back.     The  carriage  and  ap- 
pearance of  the  entire  animal  should  be  sprightly  and  teem- 


CHOOSING  A  DOG.  215 

ing  with  intelligence,  active  life,  while  the  disposition  should 
be  affectionate  and  free  from  obstinacy  or  willfulness. 

In  selecting  a  Pointer,  color  is  no  proof  of  blood,  as  this 
dog  has  no  distinct  family  marking  like  the  Setter.     It  is, 
however,  generally  conceded  that  a  large  proportion  of 
white  is  desirable,  as  this  renders  the  dog  more  conspicu- 
ous  when  on  point.     "Stonehenge"  says:  "White,  with 
black,  liver,  j^ellow  or  lemon-colored  heads,  are  the  most 
prized.     Self-colored  dogs,  as  the  liver  or  black,  are  very 
handsome,  and   the  latter  are  certainly  popular  in  this 
country;  but  both  are  hard  to  distinguish  when  working 
in  cover,  or  on  dark  frost-brovvned  ground.     Due  regard 
must  be  paid  to  pedigree  and  form.    In  the  latter  the  Poin- 
ter differs  considerably  from  the  Setter,  being  of  different 
origin.     The  best  Pointer  has  a  medium  sized  head,  with 
more  width  and  less  height  than  the  Setter;  a  high  fore- 
head ;  broad  square  muzzle  ;  strongly  marked  though  not 
pendant  lips ;  long,  arched  neck,  with  clean  throat  free 
from  loose  folds  of  skin  ;  long  body,  with  strong  loins,  wide 
hips,  and  more  arched  ribs  than  the  Setter.     The  chest 
should  be  deep,  but  not  too  thin  or  flat-sided.     The  tail 
should  be  large  and  strong  at  the  root,  but  drawn  I'apidly 
to  a  fine  string-like  tip.     The  shoulders  should  be  long, 
slanting  and  muscular,  and  the  legs  long  in  the  fore-arm  and 
short  from  the  knee  to  foot.     The  elbow  should  be  placed 
well  below  the  chest  to  allow  of  free  action  and  speed. 
The  feet   should  be  round  and  cat-like,   with  toes  well 
arched  and  strong,  that  the  arches  may  not  break  down 
with  work.     The  soles  should  be  tough  and  thick,  or  the 
dog  will  come  lame  on  rough  ground.     The  coat  in  im- 
ported animals  should  be  short,  fine  and  soft,  but  a  coarser 
and  more  wiry  coat  is  better  adapted  for  work  in  this 
country.     The  disposition  should  be  mild,  kindly  and  in- 
telligent." 

The  next  thing,  if  you  are  buying  a  broken  dog,  is  to  see 
him  in  the  field  and  under  the  gun.  This  is  absolutely 
essential,  because  there  are  large  numbers  of  dogs  finely 
yard-broken,  and  under  perfect  control  when  free  from  the 


216     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

excitement  of  hunting,  which  when  in  the  field  are  utterly 
valueless  for  lack  of  proper  handling.  See  that  the  dog 
ranges  well,  carries  his  head  up,  shows  a  good  nose,  is  un- 
der good  control,  staunch  on  point  and  charge,  and  a  ten- 
der-mouthed retriever.  All  except  nose,  pointing  and 
retrieving  can  be  determined  at  any  season  of  the  year, 
and  in  any  field,  and  where  these  cannot  be  tested,  they 
must  be  made  the  subject  of  a  warranty.  I  have  said  the 
dog  must  be  tried  under  the  gun,  because  in  the  course  of 
my  experience  I  have  seen  gun-shy  dogs,  that  taken  into 
a  field  or  cover  without  a  gun  would  work  splendidly  and 
deceive  the  purchaser  into  the  idea  that  he  was  getting  a 
very  superior  animal,  but  the  moment  the  gun  was  taken 
out  they  would  either  refuse  to  stir  from  heel,  or  run  away 
altogether.  To  test  this  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  fire  a 
gun  over  him;  this  will  also  show  whether  he  is  a  steady 
charger  or  a  shot-breaker,  the  latter  not  conclusively  but 
presumptively,  as  some  dogs  will  break  shot  when  they  see 
the  game  fall,  but  charge  steadily  at  all  other  times.  Of 
course  the  only  absolute  and  positive  test  is  actual  work 
upon  game  during  the  season,  but  as  it  is  often  desirable 
to  purchase  a  dog  before  the  season  opens,  a  man  of  expe- 
rience can  generally  determine  the  style  of  the  dog  by  such 
a  trial  as  I  have  mentioned.  In  the  case  of  a  tyro  he  had 
better  by  all  means  get  a  competent  friend  to  examine  and 
try  the  dog  for  him. 


DOGS  ADAPTED  TO  SPORTING  IN  AMERICA.  217 


DOGS  ADAPTED  TO  SPOETING  IN  AMERICA. 

|R.  BUEGES  says:  There  are  five  varieties  of  dogs 
adapted  to  American  field  sports,  but  of  these  two 
have  only  a  limited  sphere  of  usefulness.  All  of 
our  sporting  may  be  done  with  Setters,  Pointers, 
Spaniels,  Retrievers  and  small  Hounds,  and  the  object  of 
this  chapter  will  be  to  show  the  use  of  each  of  these,  and 
which  of  the  three  former  is  best  calculated  to  most  fully 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  sportsman  who  seeks  a  dog 
for  general  work. 

In  considering  this  question  intelligently,  a  due  regard 
must  be  had  for  the  circumstances  of  our  sportsmen,  and 
the  nature  and  peculiarities  of  our  hunting  grounds  and 
game  birds.  As  the  surface  of  our  country  presents  every 
variety  of  ground  frequented  by  the  sportsman,  and  the 
birds  which  we  seek  are  very  diverse  in  character,  it  is 
evident  that  to  fully  meet  all  requirements  a  kennel  of 
several  breeds  might  be  maintained  and  hunted  to  advant- 
age; but  as  an  offset  to  this  we  have  the  well-known  fact 
that  but  very  few  of  our  sportsmen  are  in  such  circum- 
stances, either  pecuniarily  or  in  point  of  habitation,  as  to 
allow  of  the  keeping  up  of  such  an  extensive  establish- 
ment. The  great  majority  keep  but  one  dog,  and  with  this 
they  expect  to  do  general  work ;  consequently  they  want 
the  best  dog  for  work  at  all  times  and  over  all  kinds  of 
country,  whether  brake,  bog  or  upland. 

The  honor  of  first  place  must  lie  between  the  Setter  and 
Pointer,  since,  as  we  shall  presently  see,  the  Spaniel  has 
such  a  narrow  field  for  the  display  of  his  qualities  that  he 
is  practically  entirely  out  of  the  competition.  With  the 
field  thus  reduced  to  two,  a  choice  can  be  fairlj-  made,  since 
•we  have  only  to  give  the  dogs  a  thorough  test  by  actual 
28 


218     PRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

work,  and  select  that  one  which  shows  the  greater  capa- 
city for  adapting  himself  to  all  wants. 

I  have  said  that  the  Spaniel  has  a  limited  sphere,  and  is 
consequently  unable  to  compete  with  either  Pointer  or  Set- 
ter, but  lest  I  be  accused  of  injustice  towards  this  willing 
and  faithful  little  fellow,  I  will  pause  a  moment  to  con- 
sider what  his  chief  uses  are.    According  to  his  most  ardent 
admirers  his  proper  place  is  in  the  thick  covers  haunted 
by  the  Ruffed  Grouse,  or  Woodcock,  and  his  work  consists 
in  finding  these  birds  and  flushing  them  for  the  gun,  first 
giving  notice  of  the  game  by  a  whimper  that  swells  into 
a  sharp  yelp  as  the  bird  takes  wing.     Now,  granting  (to 
save  argument  upon  this  point)  that  this  is  the  most  sports- 
manlike and  killing  way  of  hunting  cover,  it  must  at  least 
be  conceded  that  the  Spaniel  is  of  no  use  in  the  open,  where 
from  staunchness  at  point  we  can  allow  dogs  thus  endowed 
to  range  over  ten  times  the  ground,  and  consequently  to 
find  ten  times  the  game,  that  a  Spaniel  could,  since  he  must 
be  hunted  within  gun-shot  all  the  time  in  order  to  give  any 
shots.     Comparatively  little  of  our  hunting  is  in  such  very 
thick  cover  that  a  good  brush  shot  cannot  go  up  to  his  Set- 
ter when  on  a  point  and  kill  his  bird  as  it  gets  up.     I  have 
indeed  seen  such  places,  and  have  often  found  birds  quite 
plentiful  in  them,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  difficulty  of 
the  shooting  kept  hunters  away.      Under   such  circum- 
stances Spaniels  would  certainly  prove  killing  dogs.     I 
know,  too,  that  some  men  use  them  to  tree  Ruffed  Grouse; 
but  as  I  am  writing  for  those  true  sportsmen  who  would 
scorn  to  pot  this  gallant  bird,  and  who  esteem  a  bag  not 
from  its  numbers,  but  for  the  skill  by  which  it  is  obtained,  I 
will  not  make  further  mention  of  this  practice,  but  pass 
on,  considering  that  I  have  sustained  my  assertion  regard- 
ing the  Spaniel. 

The  dog  that  we  want  must  work  equally  well  in  cover 
and  open.  He  must  be  staunch  enough  to  range  the  stub- 
bles or  prairies  for  the  Quail  or  Pinnated  Grouse,  and  tough 
enough  to  hunt  day  after  daj'  through  cat-briars  and  thick- 
ets for  Woodcock  and  Ruffed  Grouse,  and  over  wet,  cold 


DOGS  ADAPTED  TO  SPORTING  IN  AMERICA.  219   ^ 

marsh  lands  for  Spring  Snipe.     Both  Pointers  and  Setters 
have  their  warm  friends  and  advocates,  but  in  my  opinion 
the  Setter  is  far  the  most  generally  useful  animal,  and  con- 
sequently the  dog  for  this  country.    In  support  of  this  esti- 
mate I  quote  again  from  Laverack,  who  says:  "That  the 
Setter  is  the  most  generally  useful  of  shooting  dogs,  I  lancy 
few  will  deny,  being  possessed  of  more  lasting  powers  of 
endurance,  therefore  better  adapted  for  all  localities  and 
weathers.     The  Setter  can  stand  cold  or  heat  alike;  the 
hair  on  his  feet  and  between  his  toes  allows  him  to  hunt 
rough  cover  as  well  as  the  Spaniel."    In  the  course  of  over  ' 
twenty  3'ears  experience  in  the  field  I  have  met  with  a 
great  many  dogs,  and  have  seen  Pointers  and  Setters  thor- 
oughly tested  together,  yet  have  never  found  the  Pointer 
that  could  follow  a  good  Setter  halfway  through  a  season, 
beginning  with  Snipe  in  March   and  ending  with  Ruffed 
Grouse  in  December,  nor  do  I  believe  the  Pointer  ever  ex- 
isted that  could  do  this.     It  has  never  been  my  fortune  to 
hunt  much  in  the  Southern  States,  and  I  know  the  Poin- 
ter is  very  popular  there,  so  I  wull  concede  him  superiority 
in  those  portions  where  the  ground  is  dry  and  open  and 
the  climate  hot;  I  will  also  grant  that  for  Grouse  shooting 
on  the  prairies  from  August  15  to  October  10  he  can  beat 
the  Setter,  because  generally  the   prairies  are  very  dry 
and  the  Setter  needs  water  even  more  than  the  Pointer; 
but  here  his  superiority  ends;  each  of  these  dogs  has  his 
sphere,  and  this  is  the  Pointer's.     It  is,  however,  limited 
both  in  extent  and  in  time,  for  no  sooner  have  the  extreme 
heats  of  Summer  passed  than  the  Setter  can  go  to  the 
prairies  and  do  fully  as  good  work  as  the  Pointer,  proving 
himself  in  all  respects  equal  on  the  Pointer's  own  ground, 
while  the   latter  dog  cannot  follow  the    Setter  through 
tangled  cockbrakes  in  July,  nor  through  the  frost-hardened, 
thorny  covers  where  the  Fall  woodland  game  birds  dwell. 
These  assertions  are  not  matters  of  mere  personal  opin- 
ion, for  they  are  susceptible  of  proof,  and  I  know  that  they 
are  endorsed  by  most  if  not  all  of  our  practically  experi- 
enced sportsmen,  as  w^ell  as  foreign  authorities,  one   of 


220     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

whom  —  "Stonehenge"  —  bears  the  following  testimony: 
"Moreover,  where  there  is  not  heather  there  are  bogs,  both 
in  Irish  and  Scotch  moors,  and  on  wet  ground  the  Setter 
is  also  better  than  the  Pointer,  as  he  is  more  enduring  of 
fatigue,  cold  and  wet.'* 

I  have  heard  of  Pointers  which  had  pluck  enough  to  face 
the  thickest  cover,  and  whose  owners  would  back  them 
against  any  Setter;  but  such  dogs  have  generally  belonged 
to  gentlemen  who  could  leave  their  business  for  only  an 
occasional  day,  and  as  their  dogs  performed  well  upon  such 
occasions  they  deemed  it  conclusive  evidence  that  they 
would  do  well  on  all,  when  the  real  fact  is  that  such  lim- 
ited tests  really  form  no  standard  for  just  judgment.  Any 
man  can  satisfy  himself  on  this  point  if  he  will  but  give  the 
matter  a  fair  trial,  not  of  an  occasional  day,  but  of  three 
mt)nth's  honest,  hard  work.  Let  him  start  the  dogs  to- 
gether on  a  prairie  on  the  1st  of  October  and  work  East 
to  New  England,  and  before  the  middle  of  December  he 
will  be  a  convert  to  my  opinion,  if  he  is  working  his  Poin- 
ter against  a  Setter  worthy  of  the  name. 

Leaving  the  question  of  endurance,  there  is  another 
mooted  point  worthy  of  consideration,  viz. :  nose.  This  is 
a  more  difficult  matter  to  settle  than  the  other,  at  least  in 
this  country,  where  we  have  yet  no  extensive  field  trials 
at  which  great  numbers  of  both  breeds  can  compete,  so 
that  this  quality  can  be  tested  sufficiently  to  make  it  a 
trial  of  the  race  and  not  of  a  few  individuals  only.  It 
must  therefore  remain  a  matter  of  opinion,  unless  we  are 
willing  to  decide  it  by  the  expressed  convictions  of  promi- 
nent authorities.  Turning  again  to  Laverack,  I  find  the 
following  words:  "There  is  no  doubt  that  good  bred  Set- 
ters are  quite  as  keen  of  nose  as  Pointers."  Another  wri- 
ter— Daniel — in  his  Work  on  "Rural  Sports,"  says  of  Set- 
ters :  "Their  noses  are  undoubtedly  superior."  I  do  not 
claim  the  last,  but  agree  more  nearly  with  Laverack,  and 
think  the  nose  equally  good  in  both,  so  far  as  1  can  judge 
from  the  specimens  I  have  encountered. 

Again,  the  friends  of  the  Pointer  claim  that  he  is  easier 


DOGS  ADAPTED  TO  SPORTING  IN  AMERICA.  221 

to  break  than  tho  Setter,  and  less  inclined  to  grow  rank 
for  want  of  work.  I  will  admit  this  with  certain  limita- 
tions, viz.:  that  the  Pointer,  from  his  general  quiet  dispo- 
sition and  lack  of  that  dash  and  fire  peculiar  to  the  Setter, 
is  an  easier  dog  for  an  inexperienced  man  to  handle,  and 
for  the  same  reason  he  will  not  show  so  wild  at  the  first  of 
a  season  after  months  of  neglect;  but  for  an  experienced 
breaker,  or  any  man  that  studies  his  dog's  nature,  I  think 
the  Setter's  dash  is  an  extra  attraction,  and  m}^  own  ex- 
perience after  breaking  a  number  of  both  breeds,  shows 
me  that  the  Setter  is  less  likely  to  be  sullen  in  disposition, 
and  is  generally  a  more  willing  worker  in  the  training 
field  than  the  Pointer.  As  for  rankness,  that  is  the  fault 
of  the  owner  alone,  for  if  he  will  give  his  dog  reasonable 
exercise  and  keep  him  under  control,  or,  if  he  cannot  do 
this,  will  slip  the  chain  each  day  and  give  the  dog  a  few 
moments  yard  work,  he  will  find  there  is  no  difficulty  in 
securing  prompt  obedience  and  steady  work  the  first  day 
he  takes  the  field.  If  a  man  cannot  do  this  he  should  put 
.his  dog  into  the  hands  of  a  stead}^,  reliable  trainer,  who 
will  do  it  for  him;  and  if  he  will  do  neither,  as  I  said  be- 
fore, it  is  his  own  fault  if  he  has  a  wild  dog  at  the  opening 
of  the  shooting,  and  I  do  not  believe  in  condemning  the 
dog  for  his  master's  fault. 

There  remains  yet  one  point  to  be  brought  forward  in 
favor  of  the  Setter,  viz.:  retrieving.  I  claim  the  Setter  as 
a  better  general  retriever  because  he  will  retrieve  from 
water,  while  as  a  rule  the  Pointer  will  not.  It  frequently 
happens  that  a  sportsman  gets  a  day's  Duck  shooting,  but 
has  so  little  of  this  that  it  will  not  pay  him  to  keep  a  reg- 
ular Duck  dog,  yet  when  he  can  slip  away  to  the  Chesa- 
peake, or  to  some  of  our  noted  inland'TCSorts  of  water- 
fowl, he  wants  a  dog  to  bring  his  birds  from  the  water.  I 
have  both  heard  of  and  seen  Pointers  that  would  face 
cold  water,  and  even  break  their  way  through  thin  ice  to 
retrieve,  but  where  you  find  one  which  will  do  this  you  • 
will  find  a  hundred  that  will  not  enter  the  water  at  all,  ex- 
cept in  warm  weather.    On  the  other  hand,  the  Setter  can 


222     FRANK  SCHLEY'S  PARTRIDGE  AND  PHEASANT  SHOOTING. 

always  be  made  a  good  water  retriever  by  proper  hand- 
ling, and  though  not  so  enduring  for  constant  water-work 
as  a  dog  whose  habits  are  more  naturally  aquatic,  he  will 
render  good  service  in  this  line;  and  as  we  are  supposed 
to  be  seeking  a  dog  with  the  most  varied  and  general 
powers  of  attainment,  this  is  certainly  worthy  of  note,  and 
justly  entitles  him  to  higher  rank  than  a  dog  which  can- 
not be  thus  used. 

My  deductions  from  the  foregoing  are:  If  a  man  lives  in 
a  country  abounding  in  small  patches  of  thick  cover  and 
is  not  a  good  enough  shot  to  kill  his  birds  therein,  let  him 
use  a  Spaniel  to  drive  the  birds  out ;  if  he  lives  in  a  hot, 
dry  country,  and  never  shoots  elsewhere,  a  Pointer  will 
suit  him  best;  but  if  he  wants  a  dog  for  all  kinds  of  work, 
and  over  which  he  can  kill  every  variety  of  game  bird  with 
the  least  regard  to  cover,  footing  or  temperature,  let  him 
get  a  high-couraged,  pure-blooded  Setter,  intelligently  han- 
dle and  break  him,  treat  him  well,  and  fear  no  form  of  dog 
that  can  be  brought  against  him.  Such  a  dog  I  j)ronounce 
the  best  animal  for  Am^ican  upland  shooting." 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  -which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subjert  to  immediate  recall. 


'-v.. 

R^Zl'  -O 

r.Fn  5  -  i9h9 

D'^ "  1  ■/ 1031 

RFTD     NOV  1  ?  1^ 

fti 

LD  21A-50m-4,'59 
(A1724sl0)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


re  :\ 


I  I 


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